EFFECT OF OBESITY ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

Obesity is a major health problem globally. It is directly linked with with an increased cardiovascular risk and obesity and also brings up other medical conditions (hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, and sleep apnoea syndrome). Obesity has major role in atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. It leads to structural and functional changes of the heart, which directly or indirectly causes heart failure. The change in myocardial structure enhances the possible chance of atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. However, obesity also has a protective effect on the clinical outcome of underlying cardiovascular disease, the phenomenon called obesity paradox. In this review, we attempt to summarize the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular diseases and outline the underlying mechanisms.