Patients who are very obese may have more difficulties undergoing procedures like heart surgery or the installation of stents through the leg, and they may also experience additional consequences, such as a higher risk of infection at the incision site.
In individuals who are obese, common pharmacological therapy for cardiovascular disease may need to be increased or decreased. Dr. Lopez-Jimenez emphasizes the value of experimenting with different methods to aid patients who are on certain medications, such as beta-blockers, that may influence their capacity to lose weight, avoid gaining weight, or assist them in doing so.
Because heart patients have a harder difficulty moving and experience symptoms like shortness of breath when they exercise, recommendations to reduce weight can be challenging to follow. These symptoms frequently demoralize patients.
According to Dr. Lopez-Jimenez, obesity is a risk factor that needs to be addressed in patients with heart disease and necessitates action. “The patient must be aware that their doctor can assist them in losing weight. Finding the best therapy for the patient is ultimately the key to discovering weight reduction solutions.”
Dietitians, therapists, and occasionally psychologists will all be a part of a typical weight loss program. Medications and bariatric surgery, according to Dr. Lopez-Jimenez, are further options if that is insufficient to assist people lose weight. A comprehensive cardiometabolic program has just been launched at Mayo Clinic to combat obesity, treat associated diseases, and help patients live better.
Accurately defining a person’s level of obesity is important. Body mass index (BMI) – a measure of body fat based on height and weight – has long been used to define the severity of obesity. But people with significant amounts of muscle will have a high BMI. People with little muscle mass and more waistline fat might record a low BMI but have normal-weight obesity. Measurements such as waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference provide a more accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk.
“In general, patients with heart disease and a particularly advanced degree of obesity will benefit from trying lifestyle modification. And if that doesn’t work, or if they have tried that in the past, it is reasonable to consider bariatric surgery or medications,” says Dr. Lopez-Jimenez.
