Real Improvements for Cardiac Patients Through Exercise

Obese patients showed structural improvements in the heart and vasculature and in left ventricular function within three months of starting an effective weight-loss program, researchers said here.

Among those who lost nearly 10% of body weight in six months on average, their left ventricular mass and carotid intima-media thickness both declined significantly, reported Lisa de las Fuentes, MD, of Washington University in St. Louis, and colleagues.

She described the results from the 60-patient prospective study at a press briefing here and in the Dec. 15/22 focus issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function also improved significantly with the weight loss, de las Fuentes said.

Some regression in these improvements was seen when patients regained weight. Overall, she reported, the cardiovascular structural and functional measures correlated closely with body weight.

But the researchers found a continued cardiovascular benefit after two years of follow-up, at which point participants’ weight loss relative to baseline averaged 3.8% (SD 7.9%).

At the press briefing, de las Fuentes said the study had significant implications.

“First, that modest weight loss . . . represents a realistic and attainable goal for most of these adult individuals.”

“Second, improvement in cardiovascular structure and function occurs relatively early during modest weight loss.”

Alfred Bove, MD, of Temple University and president of the American College of Cardiology, agreed that the findings deserve attention.

“This is an important concept because if we can get some modest weight reduction, it may not even be sustained, but even the effort seems to be improving cardiovascular function,” he said at the briefing.

“That’s something important for us to work with when dealing with patients who are obese.”