Shedding pounds has been shown to dramatically reduce the odds of experiencing a heart attack and a bevy of other life-threatening health crises.
Can weight loss surgery improve heart health even more than traditional dieting?
A new clinical study, the first of its kind, reported greater patient benefits related to heart health for those who undergo bariatric surgery as a weight loss solution. The study involved tracking a key cardiac health marker in very obese trial patients known as troponin I. This marker is used to detect heart damage and can indicate if a patient has experienced a heart attack.
To look at the effects of lifestyle intervention (losing weight from traditional dieting through calorie reduction) versus bariatric weight loss surgery, researchers created a study group of 136 morbidly obese patients.
These patients were assigned to undergo either a gastric bypass or participate in a non-surgical lifestyle intervention group.
At the end of a year, it was found that cardiac troponin I levels decreased significantly in the gastric bypass group. This group also lost about 30 percent of their body weight compared to those in the traditional lifestyle intervention group who lost just 8 percent.
Lose the weight and your heart will thank you
While the study points to positive effects of weight loss surgery on cardiac markers, this information requires more in-depth study. But, for now, the biggest message is that weight loss is very good for the heart — regardless of how you get there.
New Jersey Bariatric Surgeon
For me, as an obesity expert and fellowship-trained weight loss surgery doctor here in Monmouth County, this news serves as yet another positive indicator that gastric bypass and gastric sleeve may well produce greater overall heart health benefits for the morbidly obese than other weight loss options.
To find out more about a surgical weight loss solutions to reverse obesity, such as gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lap band or revisional bariatric surgery, contact Prime Surgicare by calling (732) 982-2002 or attend our monthly new Patient Seminar to learn more about improving your health and quality of life.
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About Dr. Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS
Dr. Seun is a top NJ bariatric surgeon and the medical director at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. He is board-certified, Columbia and Yale University fellowship-trained in advanced laparoscopic, bariatric and general surgery.
To learn more, visit his YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002.