A new study led by researchers from University College London (UCL) suggests that weight loss surgery can significantly improve heart health in people with obesity by increasing blood flow through the small vessels in their heart.
This finding adds to growing evidence that bariatric surgery not only helps with weight loss but may also reduce the risk of heart failure.
People with obesity are at a higher risk of developing heart failure, a condition in which the heart becomes too weak to pump blood effectively.
One possible reason for this increased risk is reduced blood flow through the tiny vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Over time, this reduced blood flow can contribute to heart disease and other complications.
The study, conducted by researchers from UCL and King's College London and published in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, suggests that these harmful effects of obesity on the heart may be reversible.
Researchers examined 27 patients who underwent bariatric surgery, scanning their hearts before and six months after the procedure. They used a specialized imaging technique called quantitative perfusion magnetic resonance imaging to measure blood flow in the heart's smallest blood vessels.
Before surgery, the participants had a median body mass index (BMI) of 44, significantly higher than the average BMI of 25 seen in a healthy comparison group. They also had thicker heart walls, which indicates that their hearts were working harder than normal, and lower blood flow through the heart muscle.
Key findings after six months
Six months after undergoing weight loss surgery, the patients experienced significant improvements in their heart health:
Professor Charlotte Manisty, the study's lead researcher from UCL's Institute of Cardiovascular Science, explained the significance of the results.
"Previous research has suggested that weight loss surgery can reduce the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease. Our work provides a new, additional explanation for the benefits of this intervention."
By improving blood flow in the heart's small vessels, bariatric surgery could help prevent heart failure in people with obesity. These findings also raise important questions about whether other weight-loss approaches, such as medication, could have similar benefits for heart health.
Dr. George Joy, another researcher involved in the study, emphasized the need for further investigation. "With trials of other approaches to weight loss, such as medications, also reporting positive effects on the heart, more research is now needed to understand whether similar mechanisms could be contributing to these effects."
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, stressed the importance of making weight-loss treatments accessible to those who need them. "While not everyone will need surgery or medication to lose weight, it's important that weight-loss treatment and support are available to everyone who needs it."
She also highlighted the role of the food environment in the obesity crisis, calling for policies that make healthy options more affordable and accessible while restricting junk food advertising.
This study provides strong evidence that weight loss surgery can improve heart health by restoring blood flow through the heart's small vessels.
While more research is needed to confirm whether weight-loss medications can offer the same benefits, these findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for heart health.
For individuals struggling with obesity, this research reinforces the potential long-term benefits of weight loss, whether through surgery, medication, or lifestyle changes. Addressing obesity isn't just about appearance -- it's about reducing the risk of serious health conditions like heart failure and improving overall well-being.
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