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Cardiovascular risk factors and HDL-cholesterol levels in obesity
Insights
Obese patients exhibit numerous cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension and glucose intolerance. Low HDL-cholesterol and high insulin levels indicate a significant risk for cardiovascular disease development in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are prevalent in obese individuals.
- Understanding the interplay of obesity, metabolic markers, and CVD risk is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cardiovascular risk factors (RF), serum HDL-cholesterol, and insulin levels in a large cohort of obese patients.
- To assess the relationship between obesity severity, age, and these metabolic parameters.
- To determine the overall cardiovascular risk profile of obese individuals.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1332 patients with varying degrees of obesity.
- Assessment of common cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia.
- Measurement of serum HDL-cholesterol and insulin levels.
- Statistical analysis including correlation and partial correlation.
Main Results:
- The majority of obese patients (90.6%) presented with at least one cardiovascular RF.
- Diastolic hypertension (68%) and systolic hypertension (56%) were the most frequent RFs.
- Obese patients showed decreased HDL-cholesterol and elevated insulin levels, particularly women.
- Age had a stronger influence than body weight on blood pressure and lipid/glucose levels, while body weight directly correlated with uric acid and inversely with HDL-cholesterol.
Conclusions:
- Obese patients represent a high-risk group for cardiovascular disease development.
- Prevalence of RFs, low HDL-cholesterol, and high insulin levels underscore the need for proactive management.
- Targeted interventions addressing obesity and associated metabolic disturbances are essential for CVD prevention.
Abstract:
In 1332 patients with different degrees of obesity (344 men, mean age 36 +/- 13 years, Broca Index 1.46 +/- 0.23; 988 women, mean age 37 +/- 13 years, Broca Index 1.67 +/- 0.30), cardiovascular risk factors (RF), serum HDL-cholesterol, and insulin levels were investigated. The most frequent RF was diastolic hypertension (68 per cent), followed by systolic hypertension (56 per cent), glucose intolerance (55 per cent), hypertriglyceridemia (31 per cent), hyperuricemia (19 per cent) and hypercholesterolemia (18 per cent). Only 9.4 per cent of the patients were without RF, and these patients were younger and less obese than patients with RF. Compared with controls, HDL-cholesterol levels were decreased in obese patients, however, the negative linear correlation between relative body weight and HDL-cholesterol levels was only significant in women, not in men. HDL-cholesterol levels were higher in women than in men. Serum insulin levels were correlated positively with relative body weight and negatively with age. Partial correlation analysis revealed a stronger influence of age than body weight on blood pressure, serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose levels. Uric acid levels correlated positively, and HDL-cholesterol levels negatively with relative body weight alone and not with age. On the basis of prevalence of RF, low serum HDL-cholesterol and high insulin levels, obese patients must be considered at high risk with respect to the development of cardiovascular disease.