Correlation between body mass index and cardiovascular parameters in obese and non obese in different age groups

Abstract

ABSRACT AIMS: In obesity, as excessive adipose tissue accumulates, an altered metabolic profile occurs along with a variety of adaptations and alterations in cardiovascular structure and function even in the absence of co-morbidities. This study was undertaken to analyze the differences in certain well defined cardiovascular parameters in obese and non-obese subjects in the age groups of 21-60 years. METHODS: 117 healthy male obese subjects with Body Mass Index > 30 kg/m2 and also 110 healthy male non-obese with Body Mass Index of 18.50 – 24.99 kg/m2 were selected. Parameters such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure and pulse blood pressure were assessed. RESULTS: In our study, there was a statistically significant increase in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in obese subjects when compared to non-obese in all age group. There was a positive correlation between body mass index and heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure and pulse blood pressure. The degree of rise was higher for the systolic blood pressure than the diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Although our study is by no means exhaustive, it does provides a glimpse into the variety of adaptations in cardiovascular structure and function that occur as excessive adipose tissue accumulates, even in the absence of overt disease.