Interventions to Address Cardiovascular Risk in Obese Patients: Many Hands Make Light Work
Valeria Visco, Carmine Izzo, Davide Bonadies, Federica Feo, Giuseppe Caliendo, Francesco Loria, Costantino Mancusi, Pierpaolo Chivasso, Paola Di Pietro, Nicola Virtuoso, Albino Carrizzo, Carmine Vecchione, Michele Ciccarelli
Abstract
Obesity is a growing public health epidemic worldwide and is implicated in slowing improved life expectancy and increasing cardiovascular (CV) risk; indeed, several obesity-related mechanisms drive structural, functional, humoral, and hemodynamic heart alterations. On the other hand, obesity may indirectly cause CV disease, mediated through different obesity-associated comorbidities. Diet and physical activity are key points in preventing CV disease and reducing CV risk; however, these strategies alone are not always sufficient, so other approaches, such as pharmacological treatments and bariatric surgery, must support them. Moreover, these strategies are associated with improved CV risk factors and effectively reduce the incidence of death and CV events such as myocardial infarction and stroke; consequently, an individualized care plan with a multidisciplinary approach is recommended. More precisely, this review explores several interventions (diet, physical activity, pharmacological and surgical treatments) to address CV risk in obese patients and emphasizes the importance of adherence to treatments.