Impact of Exercise on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Obesity

Abstract

Worldwide obesity has more than doubled between 1980 and 2014, placing a large burden on global health care costs, and is particularly important in relation to cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD). This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the relationship between obesity and CVD, including physiologic explanations and mechanisms for the impact of obesity on various disease states, such as atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, among others. The reader will understand the epidemiology, physiologic changes and CV effects of obesity, the phenomenon known as the “obesity paradox” and the power of cardiorespiratory fitness to alter the relationship between obesity and CVD. Current guidelines from the American Heart Association for the management of overweight and obesity in addition to current physical activity guidelines are used to illustrate key points throughout the chapter.