Unraveling the paradoxical link between obesity and heart failure: The role of adipocytokines

Abstract

In summary, obesity carries an increased risk of incident heart failure, which is co-ordinated with abberant circulating concentrations of leptin and adiponectin, which in turn regulate energy homeostasis. While these hormones reflect an increased risk of cardiac dysfunction, their prognostic value has a paradoxical relationship, as with the link between obesity and heart failure. © 2009 Expert Reviews Ltd.