Weight loss surgery reduces heart risks in obese individuals more dramatically than medications, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, increases the risk of several health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The good news is that it’s been shown that losing weight, even just 5 to 10 percent of one’s body weight, can reduce these risks. However, for many patients struggling with obesity, standard medical treatments, such as diet and exercise modifications, are not enough to sustain significant weight loss in the long-term.  Bariatric surgery is often an effective treatment option for these people.

The new study analyzed data from more than 700 bariatric surgery and cardiovascular risk-factor studies. It reported that for more than half of the nearly 20,000 people included in the research, risk factors for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure — such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol — significantly improved or were resolved after weight loss surgery. The lead researcher concluded that the findings indicate that “In appropriately selected patients, especially those with a high cardiovascular risk, surgical weight loss could be life- saving.”

Recent statistics from the CDC show that more than a third of American adults are now obese. Weight loss surgery is an effective treatment that has been shown to both induce lasting weight loss and improve many obesity-related conditions.  Dr. Mona Misra specializes in several weight loss procedures, including the adjustable gastric band (Lap-Band), gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy. You can contact Dr. Misra here for more information or to set up a time to learn more about weight loss surgery options. You can also call her at (424) 999-5677.