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Exercise capacity decreases with higher BMI in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Higher BMI was associated with decreased exercise capacity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to a study published in The American Journal of Cardiology.
Carolyn M. Larsen, MD, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, analyzed data from 510 patients (mean age, 51 years; 64% men) who were seen at a tertiary referral center for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from 2006 to 2012. Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiograms and treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed within 1 week.
Patients were categorized by BMI: less than 25 kg/m2 (n = 90), 25 kg/m2 to 29.9 kg/m2 (n = 192), 30 kg/m2 to 34.9 kg/m2 (n = 151) and greater than 35 kg/m2 (n = 77).
After adjusting for age and sex, treadmill time and mean peak oxygen consumption decreased as BMI increased (P < .01 for both).
The prevalence of cardiac impairment (P = .59) and the achieved percentage of predicted peak oxygen consumption (P = .75) did not differ in all four BMI groups.
Patients with higher BMIs were more likely to have heart rate abnormalities related to exercise (P < .01 for all).
All variables in a multivariable model, including sex, age, BMI, left ventricular outflow tract gradient at rest, peak heart rate and left atrial volume index, were associated with peak oxygen consumption (P < .05).
“These findings suggest that in a subset of patients with [hypertrophic cardiomyopathy], weight loss may be effective in improving exercise capacity,” Larsen and colleagues wrote. “Prospective study is indicated for evaluation of this hypothesis.” – by Darlene Dobkowski
Disclosures: Larsen reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.