Obese Have Heart Attacks 12 Years Earlier?

A study of more than 111,000 people has shown that overweight people have heart attacks on average 12 years earlier than "normal weight" individuals. This makes obesity worse for the heart than smoking, according to this study. Let's pick through the data, the findings and the controversies surrounding the topic of weight and health.

Dr. Peter McCullough, lead author of the study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analyzed data from a nationwide U.S. registry of people hospitalized for heart attack and unstable angina, or chest pain, from 2001 to 2007. They were grouped according to their BMI (Body Mass Index). Here's how the numbers break down:

• The heaviest people were an average of 59 years old when they had their heart attacks (average weight 280 pounds).
• That compares to an average age of 75 for the lightest group (average weight 103 pounds). Those in the "normal weight" category averaged 71 years (average weight 142 pounds)
• The rate of diabetes was 17 per cent in the leanest group, and 49 per cent in the most obese.
• Rates of smoking were equal across all groups, with smokers averaging a heart attack just under a decade sooner than non-smokers.
• LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels were about the same in all groups

The Controversy Continues

Can we now say that being overweight is a surefire route to an early heart attack? Here are some points to ponder regarding the study and the perpetual controversy of weight and health.

• Although the analysis boasts a very strong sample size, there are still factors I would like to see controlled for such as; diet, activity level, family history and body fat percentage.
• While we could debate the flaws of BMI until the cows come home, it is safe to assume that most people who weigh 280 pounds have pretty high percentages of body fat.
• The question still remains, though - is it the actual weight that matters or does the root cause lie in the poor lifestyle that leads to weight gain. How much does exercise and healthy eating attenuate for excess weight?

Final Thoughts

It would appear that it is better to be lighter when it comes to averting heart attacks. This study certainly runs contrary to the one published in recent years showing a protective effect of some excess weight. That said, I still believe it unwise to judge our health strictly on our weight. You can still be healthy at a "heavier" weight and be "unhealthy" at a lighter weight.

I still cling to the belief that being active and eating healthfully should be the primary goal, rather than trying to achieve a "category" based on a pre-determined scale weight.

Source: Canada.com