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Study finds that obesity is linked to a type of heart attack; Know the ways to deal with it
A new study has revealed that more than half of people worldwide suffer from HFpEF – a type of heart failure caused by obesity. The research, conducted by John Hopkins University and published in the journal Nature Cardiovascular Research, states that the condition reduces the amount of oxygenated blood your heart delivers to other tissues and organs and increases pressure in your heart. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms and increase your chances of developing potentially life-threatening complications. Read on to know more.
As obesity continues to rise worldwide, it is important to understand the underlying causes of this disease
US researchers have found that obesity or being overweight is associated with a life-threatening cardiac condition that alters muscle structure in the organ. According to research conducted by Johns Hopkins University, a form of heart failure known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or HFpEF is responsible for more than half of cardiac problems worldwide, leading to high rates of hospitalisation and mortality.
Scientists say HFpEF is commonly caused by coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and even obstructive sleep apnea.
According to the study published in the journal Nature Cardiovascular ResearchAs obesity continues to rise worldwide, it is important to understand the underlying causes of this disease.
How is obesity linked to HEpEF?,
For the study, the team obtained a small piece of muscle tissue from 25 patients who were diagnosed with varying degrees of HFpEF due to diabetes and obesity. The samples were compared with heart tissue from 14 organ donors whose hearts were deemed normal.
The results showed that obese patients with HEpEF had significant ultrastructural abnormalities and their mitochondria were swollen, pale and disorganised, with fat droplets, and torn sarcomeres. These were not related to whether the patient had diabetes or not and were less prominent in less obese patients, the scientists said.
David Kass, MD, professor of medicine at the university’s School of Medicine, said the finding raises a pertinent question of “whether reducing obesity, as is now being done with many drug therapies, will reverse these ultrastructural abnormalities, and in turn improve HFpEF outcome”.
What happens in HFpEF?,
According to experts, if you have HFpEF, your left ventricle will become stiff and will not be able to relax properly, preventing it from filling with enough blood during the diastole phase of the cardiac cycle. And therefore, filling occurs with higher pressure, reducing the amount of blood available to pump throughout the body during the systole phase. This creates a backup of fluid in the lungs and body.
Doctors say that once fluid fills your lungs, less oxygen-rich blood reaches your organs and other tissues, leading to congestive heart failure.
Methods for treating preserved ejection fraction
To treat HFpEF, your doctor may prescribe diuretic medications to limit fluid buildup in your tissues, as well as medications to manage other long-term health conditions or cardiovascular risk factors.
Since this is a condition related to obesity, your doctor might also ask you to:
- reduce weight
- Modify your diet
- establish and follow a regular exercise routine
- use a CPAP machine
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