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Hidden Adiposity Posing Significant Risk to Heart Health

Excessive fat layers encircling the heart may not always be beneficial. If the amount exceeds the optimal range, it can transform into harmful substances that infiltrate the heart directly. This article explains the process and provides guidelines for assessing risk...

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Excessive fat surrounding the heart can pose risks rather than provide protection. While some...
Excessive fat surrounding the heart can pose risks rather than provide protection. While some amount offers a protective barrier, an excessive and unhealthy layer may contain harmful substances that infiltrate the heart directly. This article discusses the process and identifies ways to assess potential dangers...

Hidden Adiposity Posing Significant Risk to Heart Health

In the realm of health concerns, one often overlooked yet potentially dangerous type of visceral fat is epicardial fat – a layer of fat that encases your heart. When all is well, this padding provides heart protection and supports regular function. However, a host of common health issues can flip its protective quality into a harmful one.

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Everyone carries a natural coating of fat around their heart known as "epicardial adipose tissue." When in peak health, this fat shield serves as a guard for your heart, ensuring normal heart function. However, a laundry list of health problems can cause epicardial fat to transform from its protective role into a destructive one.

Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and poor diet are all contributing factors to excessive epicardial fat buildup, inflammation, and unfavorable changes in composition. Cardiologist Amit R. Patel, MD, remarks that these alterations can lead to the release of harmful substances directly into the heart muscle, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), and heart failure[1].

Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a non-invasive test that can assess the amount and composition of epicardial fat using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)[1]. The innovative approach allows for the measurement of not only epicardial fat but also the amounts of saturated fatty acids, monosaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids – fat components commonly lurking in our diets[1].

The UVA team's preliminary findings show that the epicardial fat composition of obese heart attack patients was primarily saturated fat[1]. This could pave the way for a valuable clinical tool to identify at-risk patients and predict outcomes[1]. The examination of epicardial fat composition will not only enhance our comprehension of heart disease but may also foster the development of new treatment strategies in the future[1].

Around your heart, there should ideally be just enough fat to keep it safe. If the epicardial fat exceeds 5 millimeters, or the size of a pencil eraser, doctors may start to worry. Fortunately, an echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, or CAT scan can reveal the presence of epicardial fat, even though its composition cannot be analyzed just yet[2].

By simply glancing in the mirror, you can estimate your epicardial fat levels. Research links epicardial thickness to abdominal visceral fat thickness, which is connected to subcutaneous fat – both factors that can be measured by BMI and waist circumference[2]. A BMI over 25 and a waist circumference over 40 inches (men) or 35 inches (women) may indicate too much epicardial fat. The good news is that weight loss leads to reduced epicardial fat as well[2].

Research shows that a diet rich in healthy fats, fish, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables works to lower epicardial fat in patients with atrial fibrillation[2]. Adding avocados to your heart-friendly menu could help as well, as a study found that women who included avocados in their daily meal plan experienced a decrease in deep visceral abdominal fat[3].

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Sources:

[1] "Unlocking the secrets of the heart: Simple scan could identify patients at risk for serious heart problems" – EurekAlert![2] "Understanding Epicardial Fat" – Premier Health[3] "Differential relationship between waist circumference and mortality according to age, sex, and body mass index in Koreans with age of 30-90 years; a nationwide health insurance database study" – BMC[4] "A Comparative Study of Epicardial Fat Thickness and its Association with Abdominal Visceral Fat Thickness in Obese and Nonobese Type 2 Diabetes Subjects" – NIH[5] "Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Cardiac Adipose Tissues" – JAMA Network[5] "Comparison of reducing epicardial fat by exercise, diet or bariatric surgery weight loss strategies: a systematic review and meta-analysis" – NIH[5] "PO-696-08 MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND EPICARDIAL ADIPOSE TISSUE IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION TREATED WITH ABLATION" – Heart Rhythm Journal[6] "The green fruit that keeps deep belly fat away" – Easy Health Options

Globally, the relationship between epicardial fat, diet, and heart health is intricate and interconnected. Epicardial fat, or epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), is a unique fat depot surrounding the heart beneath the pericardium and in close association with the myocardium[6][7]. EAT plays a dual role, impacting heart health via both metabolic and mechanical mechanisms:

Epicardial Fat and Heart Health

  1. Metabolic Effects: EAT secretes various bioactive molecules, referred to as adipokines. These adipokines can exhibita complex array of beneficial and harmful effects on the heart, including promoting inflammation and fibrosis, potentially contributing to conditions like atrial fibrillation[9].
  2. Mechanical Effects: The close proximity of EAT to the myocardium allows it to exert pressure, influencing cardiac function. Its neighborly position also facilitates the exchange of substances between the fat tissue and heart muscle[7][9].
  3. Dietary Influence: Adhering to a balanced diet, primarily one low in unhealthy fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can aid in reducing EAT accumulation and fostering healthy heart function[7]. Conversely, a high-calorie diet, particularly one rich in saturated fats and sugars, can lead to increased EAT accumulation, thereby elevating the risk of cardiovascular diseases[7].

Relationship with Diet

  • Obesity: Obesity serves as a significant risk factor for increased EAT accumulation. This can magnify metabolic and mechanical stress on the heart, exacerbating conditions like heart failure and arrhythmias[9].
  • Dietary Interventions: Studies suggest that dietary interventions designed to promote weight loss and diminish body fat can lead to EAT volume reductions and improved cardiovascular outcomes[9].

Conclusion

The management of EAT through dietary interventions is essential for maintaining heart health. By reducing EAT accumulation, individuals can mitigate their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Embracing a well-balanced diet in conjunction with regular exercise is vital for managing EAT and promoting overall heart health.

  • In the quest for heart health, it's important to understand epicardial fat, a coating of fat around the heart that provides protection when in optimal health.
  • However, health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and poor diet can lead to excessive epicardial fat buildup, inflammation, and unfavorable changes in composition.
  • These alterations can result in the release of harmful substances into the heart muscle, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
  • Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a non-invasive test using MRI to assess epicardial fat and its composition.
  • The findings suggest that the epicardial fat composition of obese heart attack patients is primarily saturated fat, potentially leading to a clinical tool for identifying at-risk patients and predicting outcomes.
  • When epicardial fat exceeds 5 millimeters, or the size of a pencil eraser, doctors may express concern. Evaluation methods include echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, or CAT scan.
  • Weight loss can reduce the risk of excessive epicardial fat accumulation. A diet rich in healthy fats, fish, nuts, seeds, fresh vegetables, and avocados may aid in lowering epicardial fat, especially for those with atrial fibrillation.
  • Remember, blood clot risks can also be reduced through various means, including natural blood thinners, herbs that promote plaque clearance, and other heart treatments.
  • Epicardial fat plays a dual role in heart health, impacting it via both metabolic and mechanical mechanisms. Adipokines, secreted by epicardial fat, can have both beneficial and harmful effects on the heart.
  • The close proximity of epicardial fat to the myocardium allows it to exert pressure on the heart and facilitate the exchange of substances between the tissue and heart muscle.
  • A balanced diet, low in unhealthy fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help in reducing epicardial fat accumulation and promoting healthy heart function.
  • On the other hand, a high-calorie diet, rich in saturated fats and sugars, can lead to increased epicardial fat accumulation, raising the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Obesity is a significant risk factor for increased epicardial fat accumulation, which can stress the heart and worsen conditions like heart failure and arrhythmias.
  • Dietary interventions that promote weight loss can lead to reductions in epicardial fat and improvements in cardiovascular outcomes.
  • Maintaining heart health requires the management of epicardial fat through dietary interventions and regular exercise. By reducing epicardial fat accumulation, individuals can lower the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
  • Adhering to a well-balanced diet in conjunction with regular exercise is crucial for managing epicardial fat and promoting overall heart health.
  • In the realm of health and wellness, understanding epicardial fat and its relationship with diet is essential for making informed decisions about personal health and lifestyle choices.
  • One may visit [MORE] for further insights on epicardial fat, medical-conditions, chronic-diseases, cancer, respiratory-conditions, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, therapies-and-treatments, nutrition, weight-management, cardiovascular-health, medicare, cbd, neurological-disorders, finance, skin-conditions, lifestyle, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, business, personal-finance, technology, relationships, travel, shopping, sports, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, racing, weather, tennis, sports-analysis, mixed-martial-arts, and more.

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