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The European Society of Cardiology

Obesity, weight loss and heart failure

Rita Mariotti*, Francesca Castrogiovanni, Francesco Becherini, Bernardo Cortese, Lorenzo Rondinini and Mario Mariani

Cardiac and Thoracic Department, University of Pisa, via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy

* Correspondence: Tel.: +39 50 996799; fax: +39 50 577239 (E-mail: r.mariotti{at}dcap.med.unipi.it).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The current scientific data controversially indicate obesity both as a risk factor for developing congestive heart failure (CHF) and a positive prognostic factor.

AIMS: The present study evaluated the impact of weight loss on clinical and instrumental parameters in a selected group of obese patients with CHF.

METHODS: An overall population of 560 HF patients was sub-grouped on the basis of the Body Mass Index (BMI): 8.2% were underweight (BMI<20.7), 63.9% normal weight (BMI: 20.7–27.7), 19.6% overweight (BMI: 27.8–31), and 8.3% obese (BMI>31). Of the 46 overweight and obese patients, 28 (55.2% men, age 51–80 years) accepted a tailored low-caloric dietary program for at least 4 months. The 28 patients belonged to both obese and overweight groups (BMI>27.8) and were in NYHA classes II–III. Mean follow-up was 5 months.

RESULTS: The mean loss of body weight was 4 kg in 81.4% of patients, versus 3 kg mean increase in whole (560 patients) population (72.5–75.5 kg). In the 28 patients we recorded a significant (p<0.05) improvement of NYHA class, better control of arterial blood pressure and statistically significant (p<0.05) lowering of total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

CONCLUSIONS: Tailored dietetic program may improve clinical and instrumental parameters in patients with CHF.

Keywords Obesity; Heart failure; Tailored diet


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