DOC News January 1, 2008
Volume 5 Number 1 p. 14
© 2008 American Diabetes Association
Obesity Paradox Applies to CAD and Hypertension Too
Some research has found evidence of an "obesity paradox" among
patients who have heart failure or who undergo percutaneous cardiac
intervention. The paradox is that these patients show decreased morbidity and
mortality with rising body mass index
(BMI).
| |
DIGITAL VISION/PUNCHSTOCK
|
|
A team of investigators sought to determine whether such a paradox is also
apparent in people with hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD). The
team studied 22,576 people with high blood pressure and CAD who were enrolled
in a study of verapamil SR or atenolol (Tenormin, AstraZeneca) therapy for
hypertension.
Participants were classified into five groups based on BMI: thin (BMI
<20), normal weight (BMI 20–25), overweight (BMI 25–30), class
I obesity (BMI 30–35), and class II obesity (BMI 
35). Researchers
tracked deaths and cases of heart attack or stroke during a 2-year follow-up
period.
Compared with people of normal weight, people who were overweight, obese,
or very obese were about 24–32% less likely to die or have a heart
attack or stroke during the study period. Overweight and obesity may have a
protective effect in people with cardiovascular disease, the researchers
Uretsky S, Messerli FH, Bangalore S, et al.: Obesity
paradox in patients with hypertension and coronary artery disease.
Am J Med 120:863-870, 2007.[Medline]
CiteULike 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
