Losing weight helps the heart

August 11, 2009 (CHICAGO) And it doesn't matter how the weight loss happens, either by dieting or surgery. That's the finding of a new British study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. It found both diet and bariatric surgery led to comparable significant decreases in heart structure abnormalities and malfunction.

In the study, the heart muscles of people became noticeably thinner and more efficient when they brought their body mass index down by just over 10 points in a single year.

Scientists say this study shows why people who are grossly overweight are more at risk of heart attack and sudden death.