Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2013 Nov-Dec;110(6):499-504.

Obesity: the 'huge' problem in cardiovascular diseases

M Javed Ashraf  1 , Paramdeep Baweja  2
Affiliations
Review

Obesity: the 'huge' problem in cardiovascular diseases

M Javed Ashraf et al. Mo Med. 2013 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. It is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and associated with reduced life expectancy. The adverse effects are related to direct impact of obesity on cardiovascular system and indirectly through its influence on risk factors. Excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the myocardium leads to structural and functional alteration. In addition, numerous hormones secreted by adipose tissue create pro-inflammatory and prothrombotic state. This predisposes to coronary heart disease, heart failure, and sudden death. Even those with normal weight but excessive body fat are at risk. Weight reduction and exercise are the main therapeutic options.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of obesity on cardiovascular system – pathophysiology CO, cardiac out put; HTN, hypertension; OSA, obstructive sleep apnea; DM, diabetes mellitus; IL6. Interleukin 6; TNF. tumor necrosis factor; HF, heart failure.
None
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2006. Hyattsville, MD: Public Health Service; 2006. Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. - PubMed
    1. Mokdad AH, Marks JS, Stroup DF, Gerberding JL. Actual Causes of Death in the United States, 2000. JAMA. 2004;291:1238–45. - PubMed
    1. Poirier P, Giles TD, Bray GA, et al. Obesity and cardiovascular disease: pathophysiology, evaluation, and effect of weight loss. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2006;26:968–76. - PubMed
    1. Kershaw EE, Flier JS. Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jun;89(6):2548–56. - PubMed
    1. Northcott JM, Yeganeh A, Taylor CG, Zahradka P, Wigle JT. Adipokines and the cardiovascular system: mechanisms mediating health and disease. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2012 Aug;90(8):1029–59. - PubMed

MeSH terms