Losing Weight in Your 50s May Protect Your Heart Health Later in Life
Losing weight during midlife may benefit cardiovascular health for years to come, researchers say. adamkaz/E+/Getty Images Adults who lost more than 5% of their body weight in their early 50s saw improved heart health later in life, according to a recent study. Participants’ blood pressure, “good” cholesterol and inflammation changed at about the same rate as adults who stayed at a healthy…
Research suggests that shedding more than 5% of body weight in one's early 50s may lead to improved heart health later in life, according to a study from University College London and the University of Glasgow. Adults who lost weight in their 50s experienced changes in blood pressure, "good" cholesterol, and inflammation at a similar rate to those who maintained a healthy weight.
Conversely, weight gain during this period accelerated declines in heart health markers. The study, led by Dr. Charis Bridger-Staatz, used data from the British 1958 National Child Development Study, which tracked 17,500 individuals born in 1958. Participants who lost weight saw most of their heart health markers decline at the same rate as those who remained at a healthy weight, even when they were overweight or obese.
Dr. Sudhakara Chennareddy, a cardiologist, noted that even a modest weight loss of 5% can have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. The study's findings may apply to Americans, as both British and U.S. adults tend to gain weight as they age.
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