Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: Is There a Link?

Understanding the Relationship Between Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease

Have you ever wondered if there was a connection between the obesity epidemic and the fact that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death around the world? The connection exists but may not be as direct as you think. There are numerous risk factors that could lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. Obesity is simply one of the risk factors. The interesting part about this connection is the explanation behind it! Let us review a few of the reasons.

How Does Weight Impact Blood Pressure?

Increased body weight can cause an increased burden on the pumping function of the heart and vascular system. The more tissues that need oxygen support, the harder the cardiovascular system needs to work. This increase in workload can lead to increased blood pressure. Persistently elevated blood pressure can increase your risk of heart attacks, and strokes. It is important to note that increased abdominal fat further increases your cardiovascular risk.

Does Weight Impact Cholesterol?

Increased body weight also means you are more likely to have elevations in your cholesterol and fat storage in the body. Increased cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoproteins, or LDLs, are strongly linked with increased plaque buildup in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis could lead to blockages resulting in cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease. You may also be at higher risk for fat buildup in the liver, referred to as fatty liver disease.

Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Obesity is also associated with insulin resistance. This is because excessive fat accumulation in the body increases inflammation, and the release of pro-inflammatory markers that impair the body’s ability to respond to insulin effectively. When the body cannot use insulin properly, it is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is also associated with metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions that can include abdominal obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and elevated blood sugar. Insulin resistance contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and hypertension.

Does Being Obese Mean I Have Cardiovascular Disease? 

Overall, being obese does not automatically mean you have cardiovascular disease, but it is a risk factor for developing one of the conditions. Weight loss and healthy weight maintenance are some of the best strategies to avoid developing cardiovascular complications. If you are struggling to lose weight on your own, perhaps a weight loss trial is right for you.

Clinical Trials 

At Chase Medical Research we are currently enrolling overweight and obese patients in weight loss trials. These trials are investigating the effect of weight loss medications, usually a GLP-1 or similar compound. Some of the trials have a specific focus on the potential cardiovascular benefits of these medications. If you are interested in learning more about these trials, please contact us at (203) 419-4404.

Sources:

1. World Health Organization. Cardiovascular Diseases. 11 June 2021 Accessed February 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
2. World Health Organization: WHO (2025) Controlling the global obesity epidemic. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://www.who.int/activities/controlling-the-global-obesity-epidemic

3. Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000973 Published Print: 2021-05-25