Left ventricular mass and function in young obese women

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is associated with a high mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy has been described in relation to obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate echocardiographically the LV mass and function in young obese women as compared to lean women with similar characteristics. DESIGN: Prospective study. SUBJECTS: Eighty-two young women (less than or equal to 40 y), with obesity degree varying from I to III (BMI from 30 to 50 kg/m(2)) were compared to eighty young lean women. All of them were normotensive, none had cardiovascular complaints or any previous history of pulmonary disease, and none were taking any medication. The LV mass was calculated by the Devereux and Reichek formula. RESULTS: The LV mass was strongly increased in all obese groups (P < 0.00003 to 0.000005) compared to lean subjects. LV mass adjusted indexes for height, BMI or volume were also increased compared to lean subjects and when adjusted for weight it was decreased. However when comparing LV mass/body surface area index this difference was not statistically significant. The linear regression analysis showed a strong association between the degree of obesity and LV mass, (r = 0.52, P < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic function in obese patients were similar to lean subjects, except for a lower E/A ratio in the obese group (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic young obese women, there are some echocardiographic findings suggesting early cardiac involvement that seems to be related to the degree of obesity.