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Mechanisms underlying obesity associated with systemic and renal hemodynamics in essential hypertension

Edward D Frohlich1, Dinko Susic

  • 1Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA. efrohlich@ochsner.org

Current Hypertension Reports
|May 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Obesity increases plasma volume, leading to higher cardiac output and organ blood flow in both normal and hypertensive individuals. These hemodynamic changes contribute to heart alterations, impacting coronary heart disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Nephrology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Obesity and hypertension are significant risk factors for coronary heart disease.
  • The coexistence of obesity and hypertension is common, necessitating research into shared pathophysiological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the systemic and renal hemodynamic alterations in obese normotensive and essential hypertensive patients.
  • To understand how obesity affects cardiovascular and renal function in the context of hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • The study focused on analyzing hemodynamic parameters in obese individuals with and without hypertension.
  • Systemic and renal blood flow, cardiac output, and plasma volume were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Obesity is associated with an expanded intravascular (plasma) volume.
  • This expanded volume increases venous return, cardiac output, and blood flow to kidneys and other organs.
  • These hemodynamic changes contribute to structural and functional alterations in the heart.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity-induced hemodynamic alterations, including increased plasma volume and cardiac output, are present in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals.
  • These changes likely contribute to the cardiac consequences observed in obese patients.
  • Further research is needed to link recently postulated obesity mechanisms to these specific hemodynamic alterations in essential hypertension.

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