Being overweight increases the work the heart has to do, causes high blood pressure and leads to abnormal levels of fats in the blood. It is also associated with diabetes, respiratory disease, gall bladder problems and some cancers.
Being able to control your weight and keep it within healthy levels can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and prevent chronic disease from worsening.
To lose weight, you may need to change your eating habits and be more active. The best way to do this is to start with small changes – as they add up, you could see some big results.
View and download the BHF’s information on how to manage your weight (includes video about visceral fat and link to resources Understanding you weight’ (BHF quick guide) and ‘Eat Better’ (BHF booklet).
View or download CHSS’s ‘Essential Guide to Healthy Weight’.
Your body mass Index (BMI) and your waist measurement are both accurate ways of assessing if your weight is within the healthy weight. Try to keep your (BMI) Body Mass Index between 19 and 25. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by the square of your height and you can be easily check your BMI online.
If concerned about your weight, whether you are overweight or underweight, then please speak to you cardiac rehab professional or GP who can offer advice and support with setting a realistic weight loss (or weight gain) target for you.
Additional Support
The NHS weight loss plan is a 12 week programme you can follow.
See the British Heart Foundation’s advice on how to achieve your weight loss aims, along with meal planning and shopping tips and healthy recipe suggestions.
We work with partners in the Leisure industry who may have programmes available near you. They include Xcite, West Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian Leisure clubs.
Slimming clubs can be useful offering goal based eating programmes and support.
Your GP or cardiac rehab professional may suggest referral to the NHS Lothian Dietetic service or Lothian Weight Management programme for specialist input.
