In the ongoing battle against obesity, bariatric surgery has emerged as a powerful weapon, offering not just weight loss but also profound improvements in heart health.
This was the finding of a comprehensive study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which sheds light on the significant cardiometabolic benefits that follow metabolic surgery.
Published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, the research titled “Cardiometabolic Improvements After Metabolic Surgery and Related Pre-surgery Factors,” provides compelling evidence of the surgery’s impact on heart health and related conditions.
The United States, grappling with the highest obesity rates globally, saw about 40% of its adults classified as obese and 9% as severely obese in 2017–2018.
The prevalence of obesity is notably high among Black adults, highlighting the need for effective interventions. Bariatric surgery stands out as a method for individuals with severe obesity to achieve substantial weight loss and health improvements.
The study, led by Lei Wang, M.Phil., and co-authored by Danxia Yu, Ph.D., both from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, analyzed the outcomes of over 7,800 individuals aged 20 to 79 who underwent bariatric surgery between 1999 and 2022.
The majority of these participants were women and white, though the study importantly includes a significant representation of men and Black patients, who have previously been underrepresented in research on bariatric surgery.
The findings were remarkable. One year post-surgery, patients exhibited lower blood pressure, improved lipid profiles, and reduced blood sugar levels.
Additionally, there was an estimated 35% reduction in the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, between 30% to 50% of participants saw remissions of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
However, the benefits of bariatric surgery were not uniform across all demographics. Younger patients, females, and those identifying as white experienced greater cardiometabolic improvements post-surgery compared to their older, male, and Black counterparts.
Similarly, individuals without a history of cardiometabolic diseases prior to surgery saw more significant improvements than those with such a history.
This disparity in outcomes underscores the importance of personalized medical care in the management of severe obesity.
While bariatric surgery offers a promising path to better health for many, it also highlights the need for targeted strategies to support those who may see less benefit from the procedure.
The study’s insights are crucial not only for individuals considering bariatric surgery but also for healthcare providers.
They offer a clearer understanding of who is likely to benefit most from the surgery and suggest a need for additional support and management for patients with certain backgrounds or pre-existing conditions.
As the medical community continues to explore the potential of bariatric surgery, the research from Vanderbilt University Medical Center stands as a testament to its value—not just in combating obesity but in fostering overall cardiovascular health.
This work paves the way for more informed decisions regarding obesity treatment and post-surgery care, aiming for the best possible outcomes for all patients.
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The research findings can be found in Journal of the Endocrine Society.
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