title: The heart in obesity-hypertension.
abstract: There is growing recognition that obesity is reaching epidemic proportions throughout the world. In adults, obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A series of endocrine, metabolic and hemodynamic mechanisms have been responsible for the development of obesity-hypertension. These mechanisms include: a suppressed biologic activity and availability of natriuretic peptide, increased sympathetic adrenergic activity, release of angiotensin ll from adipocytes and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, leptin resistance, chronic hyperleptinemia and hyperinsulinemia. The systemic hemodynamic profile of obesity includes high intravascular volume, increased cardiac output and inappropriately normal peripheral resistance. The cardiovascular adaptations to these changes include changes in vascular responsiveness and concentric-eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy, and may be responsible for increased risk of congestive heart failure, arrhythmia and sudden death.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: Paco E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.forename: Malika C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: Efrain
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reisin
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D045265:Natriuretic Peptides