As cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, World Heart Day highlights the importance of looking beyond traditional risk factors and recognising obesity as an important part of cardiovascular health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases caused an estimated 19.8 million deaths globally in 2022, representing around 32% of all deaths. Heart attacks and strokes accounted for 85% of these deaths. At the same time, WHO estimates that one in eight people worldwide were living with obesity in 2022.
Obesity is recognised as a chronic, relapsing disease influenced by genetic, biological, behavioural, environmental and socioeconomic factors. Increased body fat, particularly abdominal fat, is associated with greater cardiovascular risk through several biological mechanisms.
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Dr Hussien Heshmat, Interventional Cardiologist at Al Tadawi Specialty Hospital, UAE, said that cardiovascular prevention should consider the whole patient, including weight and other factors affecting long-term health. He emphasised that recognising obesity as a chronic disease can support earlier assessment and evidence-based care rather than focusing on blame.
The issue is particularly relevant in the UAE, where cardiovascular disease and obesity remain significant public health concerns. Prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, avoiding tobacco and monitoring blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol and weight.
Advances in obesity care are also expanding treatment options. Evidence from the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial found that once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced the occurrence of major cardiovascular events compared with placebo among adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease without diabetes.
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While treatment must be individualised, the growing evidence reinforces the importance of addressing obesity as part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management.
This World Heart Day, recognising the connection between obesity and heart health can encourage earlier conversations, reduce stigma and support more effective long-term prevention.
