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Losing weight can reverse atrial fibrillation in obese patients
Australian research shows for the first time that obese people
who are suffering from atrial fibrillation can reduce or reverse
the effects of the condition by losing weight. The researchers
found that a 10% loss in weight along with management of
associated risk factors can reverse the progression of the
disease. They studied 355 overweight or obese people who
lost varying amounts of weight.
The research was led by the Centre for Heart Rhythm
Disorders at the University of Adelaide and the South
Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
(SAHMRI). ‘This is the first time that evidence has been
found that if people who are obese and are suffering from
atrial fibrillation the disease can be alleviated by losing
weight and treating lifestyle factors,’ says lead author Dr
Melissa Middeldorp, researcher from the University of
Adelaide’s Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders.
Atrial fibrillation (AF), Australia’s most common heart
rhythm disorder, is a leading cause of stroke and can lead
to heart failure. Millions of people around the world are
diagnosed with this condition every year. Chest pain, a
‘racing’ or unusual heart beat and shortness of breath are all
symptoms of AF.
‘AF is a progressive disease in which initial short,
intermittent symptoms develop into more sustained forms
of the condition. Obesity and lifestyle factors are associated
with its progression,’ says Middeldorp.
The number of overweight and obese adults has doubled
over the past two decades, with Australia now being ranked
as one of the fattest developed nations. ‘The study showed
that if obese people lose more than 10% of their weight and
subsequent management of other risks to their lifestyle, they
can reverse the progression of the disease. People who lost
weight experienced fewer symptoms, required less treatment
and had better outcomes. Those who previously had sustained
symptoms experienced only intermittent symptoms or indeed
stopped experiencing AF entirely,’ says Middeldorp.
‘Progression of the disease is shown to have a direct link
with the degree of weight loss. Without weight loss, there is a
progression of AF to more persistent forms of AF.’
The Centre for Heart RhythmDisorders is led by Professor
Prash Sanders, world leader in atrial fibrillation research.
‘This study shows that weight loss and treating lifestyle
factors is an essential component for effectively managing
AF, in many instances being an alternative to surgery or drug
intervention. Melissa’s work has widespread implications for
the management of this disease globally and is good news for
people with the condition,’ says Sanders.
‘With record levels of obesity in Australia and in most
high-income countries, this study gives hope that obese
people can have a better quality of life as well as reducing
their dependence on health-care services if they lose weight.’
Source:
Medical Brief 2019