Research
Macro partitioning
Increased lean mass and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) mitigate cardiovascular risk in obese individuals, explaining the 'obesity paradox' where overweight patients with established heart failure have better survival rates than normal-weight counterparts.
If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, do not just focus on losing weight. Focus on building muscle and improving your fitness (CRF). Higher lean mass protects your heart and improves survival odds, even if you remain overweight. Aim for strength training and aerobic exercise to boost your fitness level.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
An increase in lean mass (LM) and consequent improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), partly explains this phenomenon. The obesity paradox is observed only in the setting of low CRF, i.e., when the linear relation between LM and FM is not followed.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple observational studies (Framingham, MESA) and meta-analyses cited in the review.
Source
Cardiac Diseases and Obesity
Sanjeev Kathuria et al. · Journal of Postgraduate Medicine Education and Research · 2021
narrative_reviewCited 1×
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