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Obesity, Systemic Hypertension, and Pulmonary Hypertension: A Tale of Three Diseases
Abdul Wahab1, Amit K Dey2, Dhrubajyoti Bandyopadhyay3
1University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.
Insights
Obesity is a growing global epidemic and a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including hypertension. This review explores the link between obesity and both systemic and pulmonary hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Obesity Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including ischemic heart disease and stroke, causes over one-third of global deaths annually.
- Hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor for CVD mortality.
- Obesity is a major global epidemic, with U.S. prevalence rising dramatically and over 70% of adults being overweight or obese.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between obesity and hypertension.
- To discuss systemic and pulmonary hypertension in the context of obesity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological studies and existing research.
- Analysis of the association between obesity markers and blood pressure.
Main Results:
- Epidemiological studies demonstrate that obesity predisposes individuals to hypertension and CVD.
- A nearly linear relationship exists between obesity markers and blood pressure across diverse populations.
Conclusions:
- Obesity is a critical, modifiable risk factor contributing to the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding the link between obesity and hypertension is crucial for public health strategies and clinical interventions.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially ischemic heart disease and stroke, is the major cause of death worldwide, accounting for more than one-third of all deaths annually. Hypertension is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor of CVD-related deaths. The same is true for obesity, which is currently being recognized as a major global epidemic. The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased dramatically, from 13.4% in 1960 to 36.5% in 2014, with as much as 70.7% of the American adult population being overweight or obese (CDC). Epidemiological studies have shown that obesity predisposes to hypertension and CVD - with the relationship between markers of obesity and blood pressure being almost linear across different populations. In this review, we discuss systemic and pulmonary hypertension in the context of obesity.
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