Prognosis of Heart Disease in Obesity – The Obesity Paradox

ABSTRACT

Obesity increases the risk for heart diseases, including cardiovascular disease and heart failure. This is caused by the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, obesity itself is an independent risk factor of heart disease. However, many studies and meta-analyses have shown that higher BMI correlates with better survival among patients with heart disease, known as the obesity paradox. In this review, the complex and disparate effects of obesity on heart disease and the evidence regarding pathophysiologic mechanisms of obesity-related heart disease will be discussed.