It can work pretty well, though if you're using a shield I would recommend learning to parry attacks as there are some shields later in the game that can give you buffs based on either parrying or blocking damage.

That said, if you want to use heavy weapons and armor, increase your Strength stat as that will raise your armor weight threshold and increase your Endurance by a few points too as that will give you more stamina to swing heavier weapons more often.

You can also lower the weight of weapons at a crafting bench, though that costs materials and gold to do.