Overweight Patients of Heart Diseases Live Longer Than their Skinny Counterparts: Study

Being overweight can reduce mortality risk in patients of heart diseases, according to a study.

Researchers have confirmed obesity as a major cause of death from conditions like heart attacks, diabetes, strokes, osteoarthritis and cancer. A recent clinical trial published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found obese patients of coronary heart diseases live longer than their under and normal weight counterparts, reports the Time.

Although, excess body weight is known to elevate blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, the new study postulates overweight patients tend to escape death risk as they are mostly prescribed medications to keep hypertension and diabetes at bay. Unlike people with normal weight, obese individuals have higher metabolic reserves or endurance to cope up with wear and tear and pressure in the heart. Experts from the New York State University analyzed records of over 10,000 participants with heart diseases from 36 past research data to confirm the 'obesity paradox'.

Their findings revealed individuals whose BMI levels were below 20 were more than twice likely to suffer heart attack or die from cardiovascular illnesses. The risk rate for dying from heart diseases were 27 percent less for participants with very high BMI ranging between 30 and 35 compared to those with normal body weight.

"One explanation may be that overweight patients are more likely to be prescribed cardio-protective medications such as beta blockers and statins and in higher doses than the normal weight population. Obese and overweight patients have been found to have large coronary vessel damage, which might contribute to more favorable outcomes [than those who have smaller damaged vessels," said Abhishek Sharma, study author and researcher at the New York State University, reports the Daily Mail. 

The authors believe these findings are applicable to only those with poor heart conditions and this must not encourage people to ignore obesity. They urge people to keep a strict watch on eating and lifestyle habits to avoid facing long-term health repercussions.