Effect of Body Mass Index on Exercise Capacity in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Carolyn M Larsen1, Caroline A Ball2, Virginia B Hebl1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Insights
Higher body mass index (BMI) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients correlates with reduced exercise capacity. Cardiac function doesn't explain this limitation, suggesting weight loss may improve fitness.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is a condition affecting heart muscle.
- Exercise capacity is often limited in HC patients.
- The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and exercise limitation in HC requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between BMI, exercise capacity, and symptoms in HC patients.
- To explore the mechanisms of reduced exercise capacity across different BMI groups using cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPX) and echocardiograms.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 510 consecutive HC patients over 6 years.
- Utilized cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPX) to assess peak VO2 (ml/kg/min).
- Transthoracic echocardiograms were used to evaluate cardiac function.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse relationship was found between increasing BMI and decreased exercise capacity (peak VO2).
- Prevalence of cardiac impairment did not differ across various BMI groups.
- Cardiac impairment was not consistently linked to exercise limitation in HC patients.
Conclusions:
- In some HC patients, reduced exercise capacity may not stem primarily from cardiac impairment.
- Weight loss could potentially enhance exercise capacity in individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Further research into non-cardiac factors influencing exercise limitation in HC is warranted.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between body mass index (BMI), exercise capacity, and symptoms in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) and to utilize results of cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPX) and transthoracic echocardiograms to understand the mechanism(s) of reduced exercise capacity across body mass index groups. Over a 6-year period, 510 consecutive patients with HC seen at a tertiary referral center underwent (CPX) and a transthoracic echocardiogram. Increasing BMI was associated with decreased exercise capacity as assessed by peak VO2 (ml/kg/min). However, the prevalence of cardiac impairment did not vary by BMI group. In conclusion, these findings suggest that in some patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac impairment is not the primary cause of exercise limitation and weight loss may result in improved exercise capacity.
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