Obesity Itself Seems to Impair Heart Function
(NY, Reuters Health, 11/1/04)

When Dr. Thomas H. Marwick, from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and team, assessed heart structure and function in 33 normal weight and 109 overweight subjects, the researchers found that the incidence of an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle rose with increased body mass. Furthermore, the investigators noted that, even in the absence of apparent heart disease, obesity itself seemed to inhibit normal cardiac function and that severe obesity was associated with the heart muscle being unable to relax and contract properly. These findings suggest that practitioners should be aware of the increased susceptibility of obese people to subtle heart problems, which should be diagnosed and treated to avoid complications.

(Circulation, online issue November 2, 2004)