Weight Loss Surgery Lowers Heart Failure Risk in Obese Patients

A new study has recently revealed that weight loss surgery can effectively reduce the risk of heart failure in obese individuals by enhancing blood flow through their heart muscles. Obesity increases the risk of heart failure, and that is possibly due to reduced blood flow through small heart vessels. But this new study that is published in Cardiovascular Imaging suggests that the harmful effects of obesity may be partially reversible. 

In this study, 27 patients’ heart scans revealed increased blood flow through small blood vessels six months after bariatric surgery and improvements in risk factors for heart disease. 

One of the reputed professors, Charlotte Manisty, said that weight loss surgery can reduce the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease in obese individuals. He also said that this study is a new explanation for its benefits. 

In this study, researchers used quantitative perfusion magnetic resonance imaging to scan patients’ hearts before and six months after bariatric surgery. It allowed them to measure blood flow through the smallest heart muscle vessels. 

Patients with a median body mass index (BMI) of 44kg/m2 before surgery had thicker heart walls and lower blood flow through their heart muscle compared to volunteers with an average BMI of 25, who were the same age and sex. 

Six months after surgery, patients lost an average of 29 kg and 13 out of 17 type 2 diabetes patients before surgery were in remission at follow-up. 

Researchers also repeated the heart scans and tried to understand more about the blood flow. When researchers observed the reports, they found that blood flow through patients’ hearts was increased. They also found that patients had decreased triglyceride levels, and increased HDL cholesterol levels. They also had less fat around their livers and lower blood pressure as compared to before their surgery. These results show that their cardiovascular health was improved after weight loss surgery. 

Dr. George Joy from the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science said that the results of a study suggest that weight loss from bariatric surgery can effectively reduce the risk of complications that are related to obesity. He also said that there is a need for further research to understand if similar mechanisms can contribute to the positive effects of weight loss approaches such as medications.  

One of the reputed doctors, Dr. Sonya Baby-Narayan said that there is a link between obesity and heart disease risk. She also said that weight-loss treatment and support are very important for everyone even if not everyone requires surgery or medication. She also said that we should stop eating junk food that can increase body weight to maintain a healthy weight.  

The results of this study are very important as they can help reduce cardiovascular diseases. Healthcare professionals should consider this study and develop some strategies that can help people reduce their body weight. They should suggest people avoid junk food and maintain their body weight.