Obesity cardiomyopathy

Cardiac dysfunction caused by excessive obesity is termed obese cardiomyopathy. Patients with mild to moderate obesity may develop ventricular hypertrophy, but generally do not present with symptoms of circulatory congestion. Patients with obese cardiomyopathy may have a long asymptomatic period, and the earliest and most common symptoms are exertional dyspnea and orthopnea. These symptoms are paroxysmal and result from impaired diastolic function. Cardiac output is increased and systolic function is normal. Recent weight gain may exacerbate the symptoms. If systolic function is normal at the first episode, these symptoms may recur and worsen over 10-15 years, while systolic function may remain relatively well preserved for a long period.