The final step in determining your need to lose weight is to determine your other risk factors for heart disease. It is important to know whether you have any of the following:

 

If you're a man, being age 45 or older is also a risk factor for heart disease. For a woman, being age 55 or older or having gone through menopause increases the risk. If you aren't sure whether you have some of these risk factors, ask your doctor.

 

Obesity and Heart Disease: Assessing Your Risk

Once you've taken these three steps, you can use the information to decide if you need to take off pounds. While you should talk with your doctor about whether you should lose weight, keep these guidelines in mind:

 

If you need to lose weight, here's some good news: A small weight loss -- just 5 to 10 percent of your current weight -- will help to lower your risk for heart disease and other serious medical disorders. The best way to take off pounds is to do so gradually by getting regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet that is lower in calories and saturated fat. For some people at very high risk, medication also may be necessary. To develop a weight-loss or weight-maintenance program that works well for you, or to get more information about obesity and heart disease, talk with your doctor, registered dietitian, or qualified nutritionist.