Excess body weight increases the risk for coronary heart disease because it:

• Raises total blood cholesterol levels, especially levels of LDL cholesterol (the harmful kind of cholesterol that clogs blood vessels)
  
  
• Decreases levels of HDL cholesterol (the good kind of cholesterol that helps clear blood vessels)
  
  
• Raises blood triglyceride levels (a type of fat that also clogs blood vessels)
  
  
• Increases blood pressure
  
  
• Makes the heart work harder
  
  
• Contributes to inactivity, since overweight individuals are often reluctant to join an exercise program for fear of ridicule or not being able to keep up