Treatment of obesity from a cardiovascular perspective

Abstract

The increase in the prevalence of obesity in most countries for more than four decades, our country is no exception, had led obesity to be considered as a pandemic today. Obesity plays a direct role in the appearance of cardiovascular risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and sleep disorders. Furthermore, it leads to the development of cardiovascular diseases and increases mortality independently of other cardiovascular risk factors. Lifestyle modification and weight loss improve both metabolic syndrome and associated systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. However, clinical trials aimed at weight loss in addition to showing the benefit that this produces in different topics have shown how difficult it is to maintain the benefits in the long term, mainly due to weight gain. Obesity pharmacotherapy has evolved significantly in recent years. Currently, the National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) had approved four drugs for the long-term treatment of obesity. As in other chronic diseases, the obesity medications are recommended in combination with lifestyle modifications to treat overweight and obesity. Current guidelines suggest that people who had tried to improve their lifestyle and still have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² or ≥ 27 kg/m² with obesity-related comorbidities may be eligible for treatment with weight loss medications and/or consider bariatric or metabolic surgery.