Is Your Metabolism Putting Your Heart at Risk?
When we hear the word “metabolism”, what often springs to mind is how our bodies convert food into energy, and how this has an impact on our weight – and we’re correct in making that connection.
However, what may not be considered is how our metabolism can have an impact on all areas of our health, including our cardiovascular health.
Metabolism is the process of converting food and drink into energy, which then powers all of the chemical reactions happening within the cells in your body. This then enables essential functions, such as breathing, circulation, growing and healing. Essentially, metabolism helps keep us alive and functioning!
However, what happens when the metabolism isn’t functioning as it should? When metabolism becomes disrupted, the effects go far beyond fluctuations in weight. A poorly functioning metabolism can contribute to a cluster of conditions that increase strain on the heart and blood vessels over time. This is often referred to as metabolic syndrome – a combination of factors that, together, significantly raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A Positive Outlook For Those With Metabolic Issues
The good news is that metabolic issues don’t have to lead to problems with your heart health. As Dr Ravi Assomull, Consultant Cardiologist at One Heart Clinic, explains,
“Once metabolic issues are picked up, they can be reversed with lifestyle changes. And by reversing them, the risk of heart attacks and strokes greatly reduces.”
What Influences Metabolism?
Metabolism is influenced by a number of factors, some within your control and others less so. Genetics play a role, as does age, with metabolic rate naturally slowing over time.
However, lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, sleep and stress, often have a large impact.
Diet
Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), excess sugar and unhealthy fats can disrupt how the body regulates blood sugar and stores energy.
Physical Activity
Lack of regular movement/exercise - especially a lack of resistance training - can lead to sarcopenia (muscle loss) and increased insulin resistance.
Sleep
Poor sleep can interfere with hormones that regulate appetite and energy use.
Stress
Chronic stress can lead to prolonged elevations in cortisol, a hormone that can encourage fat storage and increase blood pressure.
How Metabolic Imbalance Develops
Over time, poor lifestyle habits place repeated strain on the body's ability to regulate energy, which can lead to insulin resistance, where the body becomes less effective at using glucose for energy.
As a result, excess energy is stored as visceral fat, and a cascade of changes begins, affecting:
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol levels
- Inflammation
- Blood pressure
Together, these changes form the cluster of conditions known as metabolic syndrome.
Visceral fat: What Is It And How Does It Affect Your Metabolic Health?
While we often focus on the fat we can see – the subcutaneous fat that sits just beneath the skin – there is a significant factor in cardiovascular health hiding out of sight. Visceral fat is stored deep within the abdominal cavity, wrapped around your vital organs, including the liver, pancreas and intestines.
Visceral fat is “metabolically active”, releasing hormones, inflammatory chemicals and free fatty acids into the bloodstream. This can result in insulin resistance, inflammation and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Because it is highly active, this type of fat is a major contributor to metabolic syndrome.
Why Metabolic Heart Risk Is Often Missed
One of the challenges with metabolic-related heart disease is that it develops silently, which can both delay diagnosis and enable disease progression. Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar can gradually worsen for years without obvious symptoms.
By the time heart disease symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness appear, changes in the arteries may already be advanced.
Type 2 diabetes represents one of the most advanced stages of metabolic dysfunction, and plays a central role in cardiovascular risk.
How Metabolic Syndrome Affects The Heart
Metabolic syndrome actively impacts the function of the heart and blood vessels.
- Insulin resistance leads to higher blood sugar, which damages blood vessel walls over time.
- Chronic inflammation makes arteries more prone to plaque build-up (atherosclerosis).
- High triglycerides and LDL cholesterol contribute to fatty deposits that narrow arteries.
- High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, thickening the heart muscle over time.
Together, these changes accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease long before symptoms begin to appear.
Diabetes As A Risk Factor For Metabolic Syndrome
One of the most significant metabolic conditions affecting heart health is type 2 diabetes. This condition develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or is unable to produce enough of it, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart. This increases the risk of complications such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks and stroke.
25%
of adults in the UK are affected by metabolic syndrome
Diabetes rarely exists alone. It often forms part of metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and excess abdominal fat. In the UK, it is estimated that around 25% of adults are affected by metabolic syndrome.
Generally, individuals with metabolic syndrome will not notice any obvious symptoms. A key marker for this syndrome is abdominal obesity (a waist measurement of more than 40 inches for men, or more than 35 inches for women) driven by high visceral fat. However, it is important to note that lean individuals can also carry high levels of visceral fat.
Improving Metabolic Health To Protect Your Heart
Metabolic health can be improved with consistent, targeted strategies. These include:
Stabilising Blood Sugar Through Nutrition
A balanced diet rich in whole foods - including vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fibre - helps stabilise blood sugar and supports healthy cholesterol levels. Reducing ultra-processed foods and excess sugar can make a noticeable difference.
Hormone Regulation Through Sleep Quality And Stress Management
Prioritising rest and finding ways to manage stress can support hormonal balance and reduce strain on your mental and physical wellbeing.
Improving Insulin Sensitivity Through Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity supports both metabolism and cardiovascular function. This does not need to mean intense exercise; even moderate, consistent movement such as brisk walking can improve insulin sensitivity and heart health.
Sustainable Metabolic Recovery Vs GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Dr Ravi Assomull offers his perspective on the increasing use of GLP-1s to address risk factors for metabolic issues:
“While the rise of medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists has dominated recent headlines, many experts and authors, including Johann Hari in The Magic Pill, caution against viewing them as a “magic” solution to a systemic crisis.
“These pharmaceuticals, while effective at suppressing appetite, do not address the root causes of our “obesogenic” environment – specifically the prevalence of ultra-processed foods that disrupt our natural satiety signals.
“Instead of relying on a pharmacological fix, a more sustainable approach involves supporting metabolic health through foundational lifestyle shifts. By drawing inspiration from cultures with low obesity rates, such as Japan, we can focus on high-quality whole foods and mindful eating norms that naturally regulate blood sugar and reduce visceral fat.
“Identifying metabolic imbalances early through a preventative health check can encourage a transition back to health through natural interventions, protecting the heart and blood vessels without the long-term risks or dependencies associated with lifelong medication.”
Why Consider A Metabolic Health Check?
A metabolic health check is a valuable investment in your overall wellbeing. “It is a preventative tool, providing insights that allow for early intervention, personalised recommendations and a more comprehensive approach to maintaining your health.” explains Dr Assomull.
Since metabolic syndrome is not always visible – particularly in those of a healthy weight – relying solely on measures like BMI can miss important warning signs. A more detailed assessment can reveal imbalances in blood sugar, cholesterol and other markers that may otherwise go unnoticed.
At One Heart Clinic, our Metabolic Health package is designed to provide a thorough picture of your metabolic and cardiovascular health. By identifying potential risks early, we can personalise guidance with a multi-disciplinary approach that supports both immediate improvements and long-term health.
To book an appointment with a consultant cardiologist at One Heart Clinic, click to book online, or call 020 3983 8001.
