Heart specialists and researchers at John Hopkins have reported an evidence that links obesity or overweight to lasting inflammation of the heart tissue. This leads to severe impairment of the body’s vital organ responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the various parts. These new findings was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology which were researched by the Multi ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).
These findings are a matter of concern for nearly 72 million American adults who are either obese or overweight. According to Dr. Joao Lima, senior investigator, the biological effects of overweight or obesity on our heart are profound. There are early chemical signs of adverse effect to hearts of obese individuals who feel they are healthy. So, there is an immediate need for these individuals to improve their eating habits, increase physical activity and lose weight.
The Study
Researchers conducted various tests on 7,000 men and women belonging to ethnically diverse group and aged between 45 and 84. They studied the development of heart failure in these individuals. It was found that out of the 79 individuals who developed congestive heart failure till now, 44% ( 35 individuals) were obese. They had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.
These obese or overweight patients had a higher blood levels of fibrinogen, C-reactive protein and interleukin 6. These are main components of immune system which are involved in the process of inflammation. The results were compared with non-obese individuals.
Nearly 84% individuals were at a greater risk of developing a heart failure just because of an doubling in the interleukin 6 levels. It was also found that there is a dangerous link between heart disease risk factors and inflammation. These risk factors are called the metabolic syndrome.
This study was initiated in 2000 and will be carried till 2012. The participants of this MESA study did not have any existing symptoms related to heart diseases.
