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Published on: March 29, 2024
The Impact of Obesity in Heart Failure
Salvatore Carbone1, Carl J Lavie2, Andrew Elagizi2
1Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences, College of Humanities & Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1020 W Grace St, 500 Academic Centre, Room 113c, Richmond, VA 23220, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, VCU Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219, USA.
Insights
Obesity is a global health issue impacting heart function. Interestingly, overweight and obese heart failure patients show better short-term outcomes, influenced by fitness levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Obesity is a global epidemic with significant health consequences.
- Overweight and obesity negatively affect cardiac structure and function, impacting both systolic and diastolic ventricular performance.
- Existing research indicates an 'obesity paradox' in heart failure populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and prognosis in heart failure patients.
- To examine the implications of body composition and fitness on therapeutic strategies for heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of large heart failure cohorts.
- Review of existing studies and meta-analyses.
- Investigation of the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Overweight and obese individuals with heart failure demonstrated a better short- and medium-term prognosis compared to lean patients.
- Cardiorespiratory fitness significantly influences the observed obesity paradox in heart failure.
- Therapeutic considerations for lean patients may differ from those with obesity.
Conclusions:
- Cardiorespiratory fitness is a critical factor modulating the prognosis in overweight and obese heart failure patients.
- Weight management and fitness interventions require tailored approaches based on patient body composition.
- Further research is needed to optimize prevention and treatment strategies for heart failure considering obesity and fitness.
Abstract:
Obesity has reached worldwide epidemic proportions, adversely impacting health on a global scale. Overweight and obesity adversely impact cardiac structure and function, affecting systolic and diastolic ventricular function. Studies and meta-analyses have documented an obesity paradox in large heart failure cohorts, where overweight and obese individuals with established heart failure have a better short- and medium-term prognosis compared with lean patients; this relationship is strongly impacted by level of cardiorespiratory fitness. There are implications for therapies aimed at increasing lean and muscle mass, and weight loss, for the prevention and treatment of compared with in patients with concomitant obesity.
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