Focus on Losing Extra Weight

Body fat produces and secretes hormones, including inflammatory chemicals that play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. In addition, being overweight increases blood pressure and LDL cholesterol and decreases HDL cholesterol. Even if your cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular indicators are in the normal range, obesity is recognized as an independent risk factor for heart disease. And every little bit of weight loss helps. Research has shown that losing just 10 pounds can reduce LDL cholesterol by 5 to 8 percent.