Taking charge of diabetes and heart health

Did you know that obesity isn’t just about carrying extra weight? It can have serious effects, especially if you are living with diabetes. When it comes to understanding obesity’s effect on diabetes and heart health, there’s a term worth knowing: Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease, or ABCD. This concept focuses on how excess body fat, especially around the belly, can drive health issues such as heart disease and other complications.¹ Why does this matter for people with diabetes? In simple terms, obesity not only makes blood sugar harder to control but also increases the risk of heart problems. Let’s take a closer look at what ABCD means for heart health and how you can manage these risks to stay healthy. ^2,3,4,5

What is Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease (ABCD)?
ABCD is a helpful way to understand obesity—it’s not just about weight but the effects of excess fat on our health. Excess fat can stress your body and harm organs, including the heart. If you have diabetes, this extra fat can make managing blood sugar harder, increasing heart risks.⁶ ABCD can guide you to spot these risks and take steps to manage them. So, take action—talk to your doctor about ways to keep both your blood sugar and heart health on track! ^4,5

How does obesity affect heart health for people with diabetes?
When obesity and diabetes walk hand-in-hand, they create a perfect storm for heart disease. Here’s how:^7,8

1. High blood pressure: Extra fat puts stress on your heart and blood vessels, often leading to high blood pressure—one of the biggest triggers for heart disease.⁹
   
   
2. Clogged arteries: Extra weight can cause fat to build up in your arteries. When high blood sugar is also a factor, it makes the arteries stiff, increasing the chances of heart attacks and strokes. ¹⁰
   
   
3. Blood sugar trouble: More body fat can make it harder for your body to manage blood sugar, which also raises the risk of heart issues.⁶
4. Unhealthy cholesterol: Obesity often leads to higher “bad” cholesterol and lower “good” cholesterol, increasing heart risks. ^2,11

A quick chat with your doctor about easy, everyday changes for weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol can pave the way to a stronger, healthier heart.

Why managing belly fat matters
Pay attention to your body fat, especially around your belly. This can make a big difference in managing your health risks. Excess fat releases substances that can mess with your blood sugar, raise blood pressure, and even lead to clogged arteries. By focusing on reducing this type of fat—not just losing weight overall—you can help protect your heart, especially if you have diabetes. Talk to your doctor today about how to tackle belly fat and boost your heart health. ^12,13How weight management helps reduce heart risks
The good news is even a small amount of weight loss can make a big difference! Dropping just 5-10% of your body weight can improve blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and boost good cholesterol. Here’s how it helps your heart: ^14,15

• Lowers blood pressure: Losing weight reduces stress on your heart, helping lower blood pressure.

• Improves cholesterol: It can reduce bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels.

• Boosts insulin sensitivity: Losing excess fat helps your body manage blood sugar better.

Don’t wait, just visit your doctor today plan a quick weight loss journey to protect your heart.

Team up for your health
Team up with your doctor to manage obesity, diabetes, and heart health! Together, you can create a plan that works for you—whether it’s healthy eating, regular exercise, or medication for blood sugar, weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Don’t forget those regular checkups to stay on track and catch any issues early. ¹⁶

Take action for a healthier tomorrow
Remember, keeping an eye on weight and focusing on heart health can make a big difference in preventing complications. By prioritising healthy habits such as eating well, staying active, and visiting your doctor regularly, you’re setting yourself up for better heart health. It’s never too late to take charge—start small, stay consistent, and give your heart the care it deserves!

References:

1. Garvey WT. Is Obesity or Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease Curable: The Set Point Theory, the Environment, and Second-Generation Medications. Endocr Pract. 2022 Feb;28(2):214-222.
2. Health Risks of Overweight & Obesity. Available at Link. Accessed on 10 Nov 2024.
3. Obesity: Health consequences of being overweight. Available at Link. Accessed on 10 Nov 2024.
4. AACE Annual Meeting for Health Care Professionals. Available at Link. Accessed on 10 Nov 2024.
5. Mechanick JI, Hurley DL, Garvey WT. Adiposity-based chronic disease as a new diagnostic term: the american association of clinical endocrinologists and american college of endocrinology position statement. Endocr Pract. 2017 Mar;23(3):372-378.
6. Klein S, Gastaldelli A, Yki-Järvinen H, Scherer PE. Why does obesity cause diabetes? Cell Metab. 2022 Jan 4;34(1):11-20.
7. Obesity. Available at Link. Accessed on 10 Nov 2024.
8. Three Ways Obesity Contributes to Heart Disease. Available at Link. Accessed on 10 Nov 2024.
9. Shariq OA, McKenzie TJ. Obesity-related hypertension: a review of pathophysiology, management, and the role of metabolic surgery. Gland Surg. 2020 Feb;9(1):80-93.
10. Henning RJ. Obesity and obesity-induced inflammatory disease contribute to atherosclerosis: a review of the pathophysiology and treatment of obesity. Am J Cardiovasc Dis. 2021 Aug 15;11(4):504-529.
11. Jung E, Kong SY, Ro YS, Ryu HH, Shin SD. Serum Cholesterol Levels and Risk of Cardiovascular Death: A Systematic Review and a Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 6;19(14):8272.
12. Taking aim at belly fat. Available at Link. Accessed on 10 Nov 2024.
13. How to reduce visceral body fat. Available at Link Accessed on 10 Nov 2024.
14. Brown JD, Buscemi J, Milsom V, Malcolm R, O’Neil PM. Effects on cardiovascular risk factors of weight losses limited to 5-10. Transl Behav Med. 2016 Sep;6(3):339-46.
15. Ryan DH, Yockey SR. Weight Loss and Improvement in Comorbidity: Differences at 5%, 10%, 15%, and Over. Curr Obes Rep. 2017 Jun;6(2):187-194.
16. Managing Diabetes. Available at Link. Accessed on 10 Nov 2024.

Disclaimer: This content is part of a disease awareness initiative by Novo Nordisk. The opinions and views are that of the Healthcare Professionals. The news and editorial staff of ET had no role in the creation of this article nor vouch for or endorse any of its content. While the content on this site provides general information about health and wellbeing. It is not intended as medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you need help getting your health under control, we recommend speaking to your doctor.