Obesity and Diabetes Double Risk of Heart Failure

Now, a session at Heart Failure 2009 organized by the European Society
of Cardiology and Heart Failure Association in Nice, France, emphasises
that obesity is not just associated with an increased risk of heart attack, but
also with an increased risk of heart failure. Obesity is as great a risk factor
for heart failure as it is for heart attack or stroke. According to experts,
obesity more than doubles the risk.

The pathways by which obesity plays such a role in heart failure are not yet
fully understood, but have been shown to have an indirect effect via hypertension,
or heart attack, or diabetes and a direct effect on the heart muscle itself. The
underlying changes in the structure and function of the heart may be different
in obese and non-obese patients with heart failure.

Heart health researchers also believe that "adipose" cells might act as an
endocrine tissue, secreting substances which may have a harmful effect on
heart tissue and blood vessels.

The relationship between diabetes and heart failure is also a subject of
investigation, with the risk of heart failure doubled in diabetics. Heart failure
patients with diabetes also have worse symptoms, a higher risk of being
hospitalized and a greater risk of death than those without diabetes. The
underlying pathophysiology of heart failure may be different in diabetics and
non-diabetics. The two conditions by which people with diabetes have a higher
risk of heart failure, and those with heart failure have a higher risk of diabetes.
No matter which condition is the causative factor, it's very bad news for those
with both.

The presentation, Heart failure, obesity and diabetes was be presented
31 May, 2009 at Heart Failure Congress 200.

Heart Failure Congress 2009 is organized by the European Society of
Cardiology and Heart Failure Association of the ESC, Nice, France.