The epidemiology of cardiovacular disease risk factors is changing rapidly with the obesity pandemic. Obesity is independently associated with the risks for coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. Intra-abdominal obesity is also unique as a cardiovascular risk state in that it contributes to or directly causes most other modifiable risk factors, namely, hypertension, dysmetabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obesity can also exacerbate cardiovascular disease through a variety of mechanisms including systemic inflammation, hypercoagulability, and activation of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems. Thus, weight reduction is a key strategy for simultaneous improvement in global cardiovascular risk, with anticipated improvements in survival and quality of life.
aDepartment of Medicine, Division of Nutrition and Preventative Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, 4949 Coolidge Highway, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA
bCardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Laboratories, William Beaumont Hospital, 4949 Coolidge Highway, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA
cWeight Control Center, Division of Nutrition and Preventative Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, 4949 Coolidge Highway, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA
dDuke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, 2400 Pratt Street, Durham, NC 22705, USA
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