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Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
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Obesity and Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Review
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan1, Syed Sarmad Javaid2, Mark C Petrie3
1Baylor Scott and White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Medicine, Baylor School of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA; Baylor Scott and White Health: The Heart Hospital Plano, Plano, Texas, USA.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|April 8, 2026
Summary
Obesity frequently coexists with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). While weight loss interventions show promise, more research is needed to understand their specific impact on HFrEF patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Obesity Medicine
Background:
- Obesity and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) frequently coexist, with most HFrEF patients being overweight or obese.
- Obesity in HFrEF has received limited attention compared to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), partly due to less characterized associations and inconsistent findings.
- The 'obesity paradox,' where higher BMI correlates with better outcomes in HFrEF, adds complexity to understanding obesity's role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of obesity's role in HFrEF.
- To explore the potential of weight loss interventions in managing HFrEF.
- To highlight the need for further research into obesity pharmacotherapy for HFrEF patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on obesity and HFrEF.
- Analysis of existing studies on obesity, body mass index (BMI), and HFrEF outcomes.
- Examination of pathophysiological pathways linking obesity to heart failure.
Main Results:
- Obesity may act as a disease amplifier in HFrEF, influencing progression and trajectory.
- Weight loss interventions are effective in HFpEF, with potential applicability to HFrEF through similar pathophysiological pathways.
- Current evidence in HFrEF is limited, often from trials not focused on obesity, and novel weight loss agents are not yet specifically evaluated in this population.
Conclusions:
- Obesity is a significant factor in HFrEF, potentially exacerbating the condition.
- Weight loss interventions warrant further investigation for their safety and efficacy in HFrEF.
- Specific clinical trials are needed to evaluate novel obesity pharmacotherapies in HFrEF patients.
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