Can Bariatric Surgery Reduce the Risk of Heart Conditions?
When individuals have an excessive amount of body fat, they might be putting their health at risk. Obesity is a serious health concern that can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and heart issues. For some patients, weight loss surgery is the only option to help them reduce fat and drop pounds.
At our Tijuana, BCN, medical practice, some patients ask, “Can bariatric surgery reduce the risk of heart conditions?” In many cases, the answer is yes. During a consultation, Dr. Francisco Gonzalez will explain the procedure, determine if you qualify, and discuss how it can improve your health. Our practice strives to provide each patient with a customized treatment program for the best outcomes.
Understanding the Link between Heart Conditions and Obesity
Heart disease is one of the most prevalent conditions plaguing our patients, and being overweight can exacerbate the problem. In fact, there are several ways that excessive weight and heart conditions are linked.
- Overweight individuals are at an increased risk for high blood pressure. These patients need the blood and heart to work overtime and provide their bodies with more nutrients and oxygen. In turn, this raises blood pressure. Patients with high blood pressure have a higher incidence of heart attacks.
- High cholesterol is another condition caused by having too much body fat. Bad cholesterol can increase, while good cholesterol can decrease. Too much bad cholesterol can increase a patient’s risk of heart disease.
- Diabetes is a risk factor that obese patients face due to issues with their bodies’ inability to regulate insulin. The disease can have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system. This means that diabetic patients have up to two to four times the chance of suffering from heart disease.
When patients do not seek treatment for obesity, they can be at an increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. This is why Dr. Gonzalez recommends that overweight patients visit his Tijuana, BCN, facility as soon as possible.
How Bariatric Surgery Helps
For patients suffering from obesity, weight loss surgery is one of the best options to reduce their risk of developing heart conditions. One study shows that bariatric surgery can lower the chance of developing heart disease by up to 40 percent. The study noted that weight loss surgery had “a significant and unparalleled effect on the known risk factors for coronary heart disease in patients after one year.”
Additionally, about 40 percent of individuals who already suffer from diabetes can see the disease resolved. For high blood pressure patients, approximately 44 percent of them no longer have the condition following surgery.
Overall, weight loss surgery is shown to be beneficial for patients who already have heart disease or for those who want to prevent heart conditions. There are various surgical options available at our Tijuana, BCN, location that can improve a patient’s health.
What Should You Expect after Surgery?
After surgery, you should follow all of your surgeon’s instructions to ensure you are achieving your weight loss goals. Patients should see steady weight loss over the preceding months until they ultimately reach their desired weight. To maintain the results of surgery, patients need to follow a healthy regimen that includes a proper diet and regular exercise.
Schedule a Consultation
For patients who are interested in learning more about bariatric surgery to lose weight and improve their health, you can contact us online to schedule a consultation. You can also give us a call at (619) 690-8417 to find out more about the procedures we offer.