Weight Gain Ups Heart Trouble

A multicenter study indicated that gaining weight poses greater risk of cardiovascular disease among patients with diabetes. Forthe study, the researchers looked at the body mass index (BMI) of 5145 individuals and compared it against 3 risk factors for cardiovasculardisease: high blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, high blood sugar, and a combination of all 3. Overall, the resultsof the study showed that the higher the BMI, the worse an individual's control of these risks.

Specifically, the study found that 56% of the individuals with a BMI over 40 had blood pressure over 130/80 mm Hg, comparedwith 41% of individuals with a BMI between 25 and 30. Also, about 44% of the individuals with a BMI between 30 and 35 and about52% of those with a BMI between 35 and 40 had blood pressure above 130/80 mm Hg. (The findings were presented at the AmericanHeart Association's scientific sessions, November 8, 2004.)