Obesity in young people increases the risk of heart problems

Severe obesity at the age of 18 can mean a higher risk of atrial fibrillation later in life, shows a new study from the University of Gothenburg.

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by irregular and fast heartbeats, and can sometimes mean that the heart cannot pump blood around properly. The risk of heart failure and cerebral infarction, ischemic stroke, increases.

A study from the University of Gothenburg shows that the risk of future atrial fibrillation increases with rising body mass index, BMI. The study is based on data on roughly 1.7 million Swedish men who registered for conscription in the years 1969-2005.

After a follow-up period of an average of 32 years, 36,693 cases of atrial fibrillation were registered. The average age at diagnosis was 52.4 years.

However, men with severe or morbid obesity, BMI of 35 or higher, at enrollment had between three and four times higher risk of atrial fibrillation in younger middle age. The average age at diagnosis was then 43.4 years.

Among those who had atrial fibrillation, it could be seen that long-term exposure to obesity and overweight meant an increased risk of heart failure, cerebral infarction and death.

“If you have been overweight for a long time and feel symptoms of atrial fibrillation, such as palpitations, shortness of breath or an irregular pulse, you can go to your health center and have an EKG done,” says the study’s author Demir Djekic, who researches molecular and clinical medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, in a press release.

Facts

The study

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