Obesity and Pulmonary Hypertension

Whether the present obesity epidemic will increase the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension over the next decades is unclear. We review the obesity-related mechanisms that may further the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension.

Systemic and local inflammation, insulin resistance and oxidative stress contribute to the pathobiology of obesity and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Preliminary data suggest that expansion of adipose tissue surrounding the pulmonary artery may hasten the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension in obese persons. Further, obesity-associated cardiac and pulmonary conditions may increase the prevalence of groups 2 and 3 pulmonary hypertension. The obesity epidemic is likely to increase the prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension by enabling vascular remodeling. Obesity-associated cardiac and pulmonary conditions will increase pulmonary hypertension prevalence.