Investigating how obesity alters cardiac geometry through echocardiography analysis

Objectives

The rising prevalence of obesity throughout the world is a major contributor to numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease. This study aimed to explore the relationship between obesity and cardiac geometry using echocardiography.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2022 to December 2022 at the Cardiology Department in King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study included 224 patients, who were referred for echocardiographic examinations. The inclusion criteria of the study were patients of both sexes older than 20 without cardiac disease. The patients were classified into four main groups based on their BMI: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. The echocardiogram scanning was performed according to the protocol of the King Abdulaziz University Hospital echocardiography exam.

Result

A total of 224 patients were included in this study. The results demonstrated a significant increased thickness in the interventricular septal and left ventricular posterior wall between the different body mass index groups, with the obese group having thickened measurements (p < 0.001 and 0.007 respectively). The left atrial diameter was statistically significantly higher in the obese group compared to the non-obese group (p-value = 0.019).

Conclusion

A strong relationship was demonstrated between obesity and changes in cardiac geometry. While left ventricular function remained unaffected in this study, these findings reinforce the concern that obesity poses a significant threat to cardiac health. These changes in cardiac geometry can be detected by echocardiography, which is an essential part of cardiological practice. Early intervention through lifestyle modifications is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of obesity on the heart.