EARLY SIGNS OF HEART TROUBLE IN OBESE YOUTH FOUND
A study that used two-dimensional echocardiography to closely examine
the hearts of 100 children and teens found physical and functional signs of
future heart problems already developing in obese children
In
the study, published online today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers from the University of Leipzig Heart
Center in Leipzig, Germany, performed the echocardiograms on 61 obese children
and 40 non-obese children ages 9 to 16. The two-dimensional echocardiogram uses
ultrasound to provide cross sectional images of the beating heart as well as an
assessment of blood flow through the valves and chambers of the heart.
Researchers also conducted extensive blood chemistry analysis.
Researchers
observed unique changes in the shape and function in the hearts of the obese
children compared to the non-obese children in the study. In addition, obese
children had significantly higher blood pressure and higher levels of LDL
cholesterol, known as "bad" cholesterol, while HDL cholesterol,
"good" cholesterol, was significantly lower. As a group, obese
children also had a reduction in diastolic function, enlarged heart chambers
signs of increased cardiac workload, and other unfavorable conditions.
"Children
are ideal subjects to observe the effect of obesity on the heart," said
the study's lead author Norman Mangner, M.D., of the Heart Center Leipzig.
"This is because they are likely free of clinically relevant
cardiovascular disease adults may suffer from."
Manger
said additional studies are needed to determine if these changes are reversible
with weight loss, and to determine the predictive value of these early
cardiovascular changes.
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