Prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the obese

Abstract

The main risks associated with obesity are those related to metabolism and malignancy. Cardiovascular risks of obesity include the development of diabetes and metabolic syndrome in later life. Efforts at reducing obesity-related cardiovascular risk should focus on prevention of type-2 diabetes as well as comprehensive treatment of dyslipidemia, hypertension and, possibly, diabetes. Regular physical activity is just another major factor lowering the risks. Research in obesity has shown particularly decreased mortality rates after bariatric surgery. A phenomenon related to obesity and referred to as the obesity paradox shows that some conditions including heart failure and atrial fibrillation are associated with a brighter prognosis in the obese compared with the non-obese. Hence, cardiovascular risk reduction in the obese must be both comprehensive and individualized.