A Fatty Heart Increases Your Risk Of Heart Failure Regardless Of Your Weight

New research from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has shown that having a fatty heart, regardless of your weight, increases your risk of heart failure by 50-100%! Pericardial fat, which is the fat that surrounds your heart, can increase your risk of heart failure regardless of other risk factors like body weight, smoking, and high cholesterol. The study also found that women who met the criteria for high pericardial fat volume had double the risk of heart failure, where men who met the criteria has a 53% increased risk.

So if being thin doesn’t necessarily prevent fat build-up around the heart, how do you best look after your heart health? Although more research is needed, cardiologists recommend the following to keep your heart healthy:

1. Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins (ie a Mediterranean-style diet)
2. Aim for 75 minutes of high intensity exercise or 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week
3. Avoid having more than 1-2 alcoholic drinks a day
4. Speak to your doctor about how you can lower other risks of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels.

Sove CPAP Clinic has a network of 40 clinics nationwide, and works in partnership with Centurion Healthcare, a Cardiology, Respiratory & Sleep Specialist clinic group to provide comprehensive care.

Bulk billing available for specialist telehealth consultations as well as sleep studies. Medicare criteria apply. Call 1300 76 29 39 or email info@thecpapclinic.com.au for more information.