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Hemorheological disturbances, metabolic parameters and blood pressure in different types of obesity
M Wysocki1, M Krotkiewski, M Braide
1Department of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Insights
Android obesity, characterized by higher blood viscosity and red blood cell count, is linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. This contrasts with gynoid obesity, highlighting distinct hemorheological profiles.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Obesity Research
- Hemorheology
Background:
- High waist/hip ratio (WHR) is a known cardiovascular disease risk factor.
- Hemorheological changes are associated with various cardiovascular risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare hemorheological and metabolic variables, and blood pressure between gynoid and android obese women.
- To investigate the relationship between body fat distribution and cardiovascular risk markers.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of hemorheological parameters (blood viscosity, red blood cell count, hematocrit, red blood cell filterability) between obese women with gynoid and android fat distribution.
- Measurement of metabolic variables (cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma insulin) and blood pressure.
Main Results:
- Android obese women exhibited significantly higher hematocrit, red blood cell count, and blood viscosity at both high and low shear rates compared to gynoid obese women.
- Android obese women also presented with higher blood pressure.
- No significant differences were observed in serum cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
- Red blood cell filterability correlated with plasma insulin concentration in android obese women (r = 0.78, P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Pathological changes in blood rheology in android obese women may contribute to their elevated risk of cardiovascular events and mortality.
- Android obesity presents distinct hemorheological alterations compared to gynoid obesity, potentially explaining differential cardiovascular risk.
Abstract:
Body fat distribution characterized by a high waist/hip ratio (WHR) has been described as a risk factor in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and associated mortality. Hemorheological changes have been shown to accompany several risk factors. Gynoid and android obese women were compared in the present study with respect to hemorheological and metabolic variables and blood pressure. The android obese women had a significantly higher hematocrit and red blood cell count and showed higher blood viscosity at both high and low shear rates than women with the gynoid obesity type. Blood pressure was also higher in the android group. No significant differences were shown in concentration of cholesterol or triglycerides in serum nor in the microrheological properties of the red blood cells. The filterability index, which mirrors the number of rigid erythrocytes in the blood, was found to correlate with the plasma insulin concentration (r = 0.78, P less than 0.05) in the android but not in the gynoid obese women. It is concluded that the pathological changes in blood rheology observed in the android obese women may contribute to the high rate of cardiovascular events and associated mortality reported in this type of obesity.