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BHF - Looking after your weight is essential for a healthy heart

Body mass index (BMI) could have a significant impact on heart health, new research has shown.

Study findings show an elevation in BMI of around 4kg/m2 across a lifetime will increase someone’s risk of developing heart disease by 50 per cent on average.

BMI is used to assess weight, adjusting for height. BMI less than 18.5-25 kg/m2 represents normal weight, BMI of 25-30 kg/m2 represents overweight, and BMI over 30 kg/m2 represents obesity.

We need politicians and the food industry to make it easy for us to make healthy choices

Victoria Taylor, BHF's Senior Dietitian, said: “Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease on its own, but it also increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and raised blood pressure. It’s therefore vital we all try to achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout our lives.

“As well as taking responsibility for our own diet and levels of physical activity, we also need politicians and the food industry to make it easy for us to make healthy choices. Clear and consistent nutrition labelling on our food and safe places in which to get active will both help in the fight against heart disease.”

The research was published in PLoS Medicine.