Body Fat Percentage & CHD

A high body fat percentage places you in the overweight or obese category. This is a major risk factor in the development of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, having excess body fat significantly increases your risk for heart disease even if you have no other risk factors. Learn what your body fat percentage is, then take steps to change it to reduce the likelihood of coronary heart disease, or CHD.

Coronary Heart Disease

Heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, begins with the buildup of plaque on the sides of your arterial walls. Heart disease begins when there is a small injury to your arterial wall. In response, white blood cells begin to congregate to fix the injury. However, this can cause an array of other blood travelers to stick to the location, including cholesterol, fat and calcium. Over time, this collection builds and hardens, resulting in an occluded artery. This means that less blood flows through the artery and the blood your heart receives decreases. Less blood flow equals less oxygen, which can result in a heart attack.

Weight and Heart Disease

Extra fat and added weight generally can cause many negative health effects. According to the Weight Control Information Network, someone who is considered overweight or obese is more likely to have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and triglycerides, which all contribute to the likelihood of heart disease.

Body Fat Percentage Ranges

According to the American Council on Exercise, you are considered obese if your body fat percentage is 32 percent or higher for women or 25 percent or higher for men. The average body fat percentage for women is between 25 and 31 percent. For men it is between 18 and 24 percent. Ideally, a woman should have a body fat percentage between 21 and 24 percent and a man's should be between 14 and 17 percent.

Reducing Body Fat

Reducing your body fat is achievable if you adopt a new diet and get regular exercise. If you lose just 5 percent to 10 percent of your total body weight, you can reduce your risk for heart disease. To lose fat, engage in regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day. You can also consider reducing your caloric intake to achieve a daily caloric deficit that forces your body to use its fat stores for energy. Losing about 1 percent of body fat per month is both safe and effective.