Obesity / Abnormal Heart Tied Together and so May Be Cure

Abnormal Heartbeat and Obesity(JAMA) ‰ÛÏAtrial fibrillation , abnormal heartbeat, has been described as the epidemic of the new millennium, with a projection that by 2050 there will be 12 million to 15 million affected individuals in the United States. In the United States, the direct economic cost of atrial fibrillation is estimated at $6 billion annually. Although population aging is regarded as an important contributor, obesity may account for a substantial proportion of the increasing prevalence,‰Û according to background information in the article in JAMA. Whether weight reduction and cardiometabolic risk factor management can reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation has not been known. Though certainly Obesity / Abnormal Heart are tied together and so may be their cure. The study was conducted between June 2010 and December 2011 among overweight and obese patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Patients underwent a median (midpoint) of 15 months of follow-up. Patients were randomized to weight management (the intervention group; n = 75) or general lifestyle advice (control group; n = 75). Both groups underwent intensive management of cardiometabolic risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, glucose intolerance, sleep apnea, and alcohol and tobacco use). The intervention group experienced greater reduction, compared with the control group, in weight (33 and 12.5 lbs., respectively,) and in atrial fibrillation, symptom severity, number of episodes, and cumulative duration in minutes. ‰ÛÏIn this study, a structured weight management program for highly symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation reduced symptom burden and severity and reduced antiarrhythmic use when compared with attempts to optimally manage risk factors alone,‰Û the authors write. So of course we know that being overweight is not good for your heart but now we know that treating the tow together just might be good.