Implications of obesity across the heart failure continuum

Abstract

The obesity paradox, which suggests a survival advantage for the obese in heart failure (HF) has sparked debate in the medical community. Studies demonstrate a survival advantage in obese patients with HF, including those with advanced HF requiring continuous inotropic support for palliation or disease modifying therapy with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or heart transplantation (HT). Importantly, the obesity paradox is affected by the level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). It is now recommended that HF patients with body mass index ≥35 kg/m² achieve at least 5-10% weight loss, in order to improve symptoms and cardiac function, though more robust data are urgently needed. CRF may be the single best predictor of overall health and small improvements in fitness levels may lead to improved outcomes in HF. In addition to implications of obesity in chronic HF, we also discuss management of obese patients with advanced HF and their implications for therapies such as LVAD implantation and HT.

Keywords: Cardiorespiratory fitness; Cardiovascular disease; Heart failure; Heart transplant; Left ventricular assist device; Obesity.

Fig. 1

– Pathophysiological changes and CV risk factors associated with obesity and HF. CM = Cardiomyopathy, HTN = Hypertension, IL = Interleukin, LVH = Left ventricular hypertrophy, Na = Sodium, SVR = Systemic vascular resistance, TNF = Tumor necrosis factor.