ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION, HEART RATE, AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE PATIENTS

Objective: Elevated heart rate, arterial hypertension, and arterial stiffness are significant cardiovascular risk factors associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess these parameters in obese individuals compared to those with normal weight. Numerous large-scale epidemiological studies have highlighted the critical role of these risk factors in the development of heart and vascular diseases. Design and method: This study was designed as an open, randomized, controlled, and prospective clinical trial. A total of 67 individuals with a BMI over 25 were included, while the control group consisted of 58 normal-weight individuals with a BMI between 20 and 25. Both groups were also analyzed for additional cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and stress. Exclusion criteria included thyroid hormone dysfunction, hiatal hernia, and sideropenic anemia. Laboratory tests, ECG, and BMI measurements were conducted as part of the study. Results: An average heart rate in overweight individuals was 87 compared to 72 in control group. Higher heart rate was observed with patients who had 2 or more cardiovascular risk factors compared to lower heart rate among obese individuals, but without significant risk factors. Although, heart rate was also increased in overweight subjects. Arterial prehypertension and arterial hypertension was detected in 82% of overweight patients. The vascular age was in average 3, 4 years higher in obese normotensive patients compared to 5, 6 years in hypertensive obese patients. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that elevated heart rate, arterial hypertension, and arterial stiffness are more pronounced in overweight individuals and represent significant cardiovascular risk factors associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle modifications, along with heart rate reduction through medications such as ivabradine in both normotensive and hypertensive obese individuals, should be a primary focus for prevention and management.