Coronary artery disease in patients with body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2): a retrospective chart analysis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
• Obesity is a growing global health concern with complex associations with cardiovascular diseases.
• Understanding obesity's role as an independent and synergistic risk factor for CAD is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate obesity as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD).
• To evaluate the synergistic effects of obesity combined with other risk factors on CAD development and severity.
• To identify specific risk factors contributing to obstructive versus non-obstructive CAD in obese individuals.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 7,567 patients hospitalized for chest pain between 2005 and 2014.
• Patients categorized into obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and normal (BMI <25 kg/m²) groups.
• Assessment of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors and the degree of CAD via cardiac catheterization.

Main Results:

• Obesity (BMI ≥30) was identified in 5.5% of patients (414 individuals).
• 80% of obese patients exhibited evidence of CAD, developing it at an average age of 57 compared to 63.3 in non-obese patients (p<0.001).
• In obese patients with CAD, male gender and smoking history were linked to obstructive CAD, while dyslipidemia was associated with non-obstructive CAD. Multiple risk factors correlated with obstructive CAD (p=0.003).

Conclusions:

• A BMI ≥30 is a significant risk factor associated with the earlier onset of CAD.
• The severity of CAD in obese patients is influenced by non-modifiable factors (e.g., male gender) and modifiable factors (e.g., smoking, multiple risk factors).
• Obesity's interplay with other risk factors significantly impacts CAD presentation and progression.