Heavier patients live longer in heart study

Obesity is undoubtedly among the thorniest public health challenges facing the U.S., but packing a few extra pounds may have some health advantages.

People who were obese before they developed heart failure, a condition caused by the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to the body, lived longer than their more svelte counterparts, despite higher rates of hypertension and diabetes, a new study finds. Among other things, smaller appetite and a weakened ability to absorb nutrients can cause heart-failure patients to lose weight.

The research followed 1,487 patients for 10 years, recording their body mass index an average of four years before they developed heart failure. It is thought to be the first study to account for patients’ weight before heart failure, said Dr. Anita Deswal, the associate chief of cardiology at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, professor at Baylor College of Medicine and an author of the study.

Though 43 percent of participants died within the 10-year period, overweight and obese participants died at lower rates than those who were of normal weight. Compared to 51 percent of normal-weight patients who died, 38 percent of obese patients and 45 percent of overweight patients died.

More research will be needed to determine why, but Deswal said overweight people may have higher metabolic reserve — they are less likely to become underweight when they lose weight because of heart failure than those of normal weight.

Greta Kaul

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Kirsty Wigglesworth / Associated Press People who were obese before developing heart failure outlived those who were thin. Houston-based Metanome, affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, is helping to develop the canine products.