You may exercise regularly power through strength sessions practise yoga or run long distances and still fall into the overweight category. Fitness and body weight do not always move in the same direction and many people who appear fit by performance standards may not be considered lean by BMI measures. This has sparked an ongoing debate around the idea of being fit but overweight and whether good stamina alone is enough to safeguard heart health.
According to Dr P Ashok Kumar senior consultant in interventional cardiology at KIMS Hospitals Bengaluru the relationship between fitness and cardiovascular risk is complex. He emphasises that the answer cannot be reduced to a simple yes or no. Both physical fitness and body composition must be assessed together when evaluating long term heart health.
A person who exercises consistently may show positive health indicators such as normal blood pressure balanced cholesterol levels steady blood sugar and strong cardiovascular endurance. These markers certainly reduce immediate risk and reflect good functional health. However excess body fat especially over a prolonged period can still create hidden stress within the body.
Obesity is linked to chronic inflammation insulin resistance elevated triglycerides and the gradual development of atherosclerosis. Over time these factors can increase the likelihood of heart disease heart failure and stroke even in individuals who appear outwardly fit. Fitness can lower risk but it does not entirely cancel out the biological effects of excess fat tissue.
Another key factor is fat distribution. Visceral fat which surrounds internal organs poses a greater cardiovascular threat than subcutaneous fat stored under the skin. Two individuals with the same BMI may have very different heart risk profiles depending on where fat accumulates. For this reason experts increasingly consider waist circumference and waist to hip ratio alongside BMI when assessing cardiovascular risk.
In the short term someone who is overweight but active may show healthy lab results. Yet over the years persistent excess weight can gradually strain the heart and blood vessels. The most protective strategy therefore combines consistent physical activity with sustainable weight management rather than relying on fitness alone.
Note This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health concerns.
