San Joaquin Community Hospital | You + Us | Summer 2015

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When Amira Ayad, MD, works
with her patients to help them control their
weight, she knows their efforts are heartfelt.
“The heavier a person is, the higher the risk
of heart disease,” says Dr. Ayad, who is board-
certified in obesity medicine. Below, Dr. Ayad
answers a few important questions about weight
control and how it can improve heart health.
Q Why is weight management so
important?
A It plays a vital role in a person’s overall health.
Working toward and maintaining a healthy
weight can improve many medical problems and
prevent others. When you manage weight, it’s really
preventive medicine.
Q How does a person’s weight affect their
heart health?
A Being overweight or obese raises a person’s
risk for heart disease and heart attack. That’s
especially true when you look at belly circumfer-
ence. The larger a person’s waistline, the greater
the risk.
Q Is there a point where an overweight
person is more at risk for heart disease?
A People with the highest risk are those with a
body mass index (BMI) over 30. The risk con-
tinues to increase as BMI goes up.
But anyone with a BMI over 25 may have
increased risk too—especially if they have other
risk factors for heart disease, such as if they smoke
or have high blood pressure. A high BMI is also
a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. We want to help
prevent diabetes before it starts or causes harm—
so early intervention is always key.
Q What is your advice to people reading
this—those who know they are over-
weight but aren’t sure where to begin?
A I’d say to start today by consulting a primary
care doctor. And don’t blame yourself. Just
take the first steps to protect your health and feel
your best. Most important, be patient. This can be a
long journey, and there will be ups and downs. But
you don’t have to do it alone.
Ready to make a change? You can
schedule a weight management
consultation with Dr. Ayad at the
Adventist Health Physicians Network
in downtown Bakersfield.
Call 661-214-3522.
HEALTHY
How slimming down can help your heart
A S K D R . AYA D AT THE
HEART OF
Caring for hearts—it’s what we
do. San Joaquin Community
Hospital is home to a
comprehensive heart institute.
We’ve got you covered.
Keep an eye on your BMI
Height Weight in pounds
5’ 97 102 107 112 118 123 128 133 138 143 148 153 158 163 168 174 179 184 189 194 199 204
5’1” 100 106 111 116 122 127 132 137 143 148 153 158 164 169 174 180 185 190 195 201 206 211
5’2” 104 109 115 120 126 131 136 142 147 153 158 164 169 175 180 186 191 196 202 207 213 218
5’3” 107 113 118 124 130 135 141 146 152 158 163 169 175 180 186 191 197 203 208 214 220 225
5’4” 110 116 122 128 134 140 145 151 157 163 169 174 180 186 192 197 204 209 215 221 227 232
5’5” 114 120 126 132 138 144 150 156 162 168 174 180 186 192 198 204 210 216 222 228 234 240
5’6” 118 124 130 136 142 148 155 161 167 173 179 186 192 198 204 210 216 223 229 235 241 247
5’7” 121 127 134 140 146 153 159 166 172 178 185 191 198 204 211 217 223 230 236 242 249 255
5’8” 125 131 138 144 151 158 164 171 177 184 190 197 203 210 216 223 230 236 243 249 256 262
5’9” 128 135 142 149 155 162 169 176 182 189 196 203 209 216 223 230 236 243 250 257 263 270
5’10” 132 139 146 153 160 167 174 181 188 195 202 209 216 222 229 236 243 250 257 264 271 278
5’11” 136 143 150 157 165 172 179 186 193 200 208 215 222 229 236 243 250 257 265 272 279 286
6’ 140 147 154 162 169 177 184 191 199 206 213 221 228 235 242 250 258 265 272 279 287 294
6’1” 144 151 159 166 174 182 189 197 204 212 219 227 235 242 250 257 265 272 280 288 295 302
6’2” 148 155 163 171 179 186 194 202 210 218 225 233 241 249 256 264 272 280 287 295 303 311
6’3” 152 160 168 176 184 192 200 208 216 224 232 240 248 256 264 272 279 287 295 303 311 319
6’4” 156 164 172 180 189 197 205 213 221 230 238 246 254 263 271 279 287 295 304 312 320 328
BMI 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Normal weight Overweight Obese