Diminished physical capacity in obese individuals with normal left ventricular function

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a pandemic today. The physical capacity of subjects with ex-cess body weight decreases due to high energy consumption, even though their heart function is normal.
Objective: The objective was to determine the physical capacity in subjects with over-nutrition and in those with normal weight, with normal systolic left ventricular func-tion.
Method: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 170 subjects who came to the General Calixto García University Hospital in Havana, Cuba from April 2009 to November 2012. The sample was divided, according to body mass index, into normal weight (50), overweight (60) and obese (60). An exercise test and an echocardiogram were performed.
Results: Females and white skin color predominated (53.2%, respectively). A seden-tary lifestyle and adding salt to food were found in a greater proportion among the overweight and obese subjects (p<0.001 vs. normal weight). The systolic blood press-ure at maximal effort differed between the groups: 200 ± 15 mmHg in obese subjects, 185 ± 27 mmHg in overweight subjects and 173 ± 24 mmHg in normal weight (p<0.05). The physical capacity, measured in METs, was low in obese subjects (5.8 ± 1.3) compared with overweight subjects (7.8 ± 2.1) and normal weight subjects (8.3 ± 1.7), p<0.001. The diameters, wall thickness and left ventricular mass increased in obese subjects with normal systolic function.
Conclusions: Physical capacity deteriorates as body mass index increases even with normal systolic left ventricular function.
Key words: Obesity, Physical capacity, Systolic function, Echocardiography, Exercise testing