Lapsurgery.com.au, The connection between obesity and heart disease – Individuals who are overweight are more likely to develop health conditions that can lead to heart disease. Research has shown, for many years, that there are a range of health risks associated with being overweight or obese. In fact, those who are overweight are much more likely to develop serious health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which can, in time, contribute to heart disease.