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How do obesity and physical inactivity increase the risk of coronary heart disease?
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cardiovascular disease
This micrograph shows a cross section of a coronary artery narrowed by an atherosclerotic plaque (purplish matter inside the artery). Most heart attacks are caused by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, which triggers the formation of a clot that abruptly blocks blood flow to part of the heart muscle.
Obesity and physical inactivity are significant, interrelated risk factors for coronary heart disease. Their impact on cardiovascular health is primarily mediated through the development of other high-risk conditions.12
Mechanisms of Risk
- Hypertension: Sedentary living and low physical fitness are linked to the development of hypertension, a powerful risk factor for heart disease. Obesity also indirectly increases the risk of heart disease by exerting a deleterious impact on blood pressure.13
- Lipoprotein Profiles: Obesity negatively affects blood lipid profiles, including the levels of lipoproteins that transport fat and cholesterol. These abnormalities contribute to the atherosclerotic process, which underlies coronary heart disease.12
- Independent Risk: Excess body weight is considered an independent risk factor for heart disease. Furthermore, the combination of multiple risk factors—such as obesity, inactivity, and hypertension—results in an exponential increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular conditions.13
Regular physical activity helps mitigate these risks by improving lipoprotein profiles, lowering blood pressure, and assisting in weight management.12