Managing Obesity in Heart Failure: New Guidance from ACC

Consensus recommendations span diagnosis, risk assessment, evaluation, and management of obesity.

Sponsoring Organization: American College of Cardiology

Background and Objective: Obesity and heart failure (HF) commonly coexist. This statement provides consensus recommendations with respect to the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of obesity in individuals with HF.

Key Points

Diagnosis

Body-mass index (BMI), the traditionally accepted clinical measure for obesity, is limited, particularly when BMI is under 35 kg/m², in which case other measures of adiposity (e.g., waist circumference, body composition) should be considered.

Risk Assessment and Evaluation

Natriuretic peptide levels may be lower in patients with obesity, reducing their sensitivity for the diagnosis of HF. Be suspicious in the case of “normal” levels but HF symptoms.
Evaluati…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, MACC, FAHA

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)