[Role of body weight for the prevention of coronary heart disease].
The prevalence of obesity has increased considerably in recent years; only one third of our population displays a desirable, healthy weight. Persons with increased body fat mass are in a constant pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic condition; in addition they are often insulin-resistant und show cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, obesity induces the development of atherosclerosis as an independent risk factor as well as a promoter for other risk factors. In addition, congestive heart failure is more frequent in obese subjects. By reducing body weight with a decrease of predominantly visceral fat all risk factors are improved as well as endothelial function. Effects on coronary atherosclerosis and congestive heart disease are until now insufficiently investigated.
Wirth
A
A
Teutoburger-Wald-Klinik, Teutoburger-Wald-Strasse 33, 49214 Bad Rothenfelde, Germany. wirthbr@-online.de
Gohlke
H
H
D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D001835:Body Weight; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015897:Comorbidity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors