Evaluation of the cardiovascular system in children with simple obesity. Part I. Clinical, electrocardiographic and...

In 45 children with simple obesity (overweight 70 +/- 16%) clinical, electrocardiographic and functional assessment of the cardiovascular system was carried out. The results were compared with those in a control group of 20 healthy children without overweight. Raised arterial blood pressure was found in 14 children (31%) in the studied group. In the control group the blood pressure was normal. Resting electrocardiogram was abnormal in 5 obese (11%) and 2 thin (10%) children. Exercise tolerance was similar in both groups, while the values of systolic pressure and double product were higher in obese children. The value of the tolerated exercise was not correlated with the degree of overweight.