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Body fat, especially visceral fat, is associated with electrocardiographic measures of sympathetic activation
Author(s) -
Hillebrand Stefanie,
Mutsert Renée,
Christen Tim,
Maan Arie C.,
Jukema J. Wouter,
Lamb Hildo J.,
Roos Albert,
Rosendaal Frits R.,
den Heijer Martin,
Swenne Cees A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20709
Subject(s) - medicine , visceral fat , waist , adipose tissue , population , obesity , endocrinology , sympathetic nervous system , cardiology , intra abdominal fat , heart rate , body fat percentage , body mass index , microneurography , classification of obesity , blood pressure , fat mass , insulin resistance , baroreflex , environmental health
Objective Obesity is associated with sympathetic activation, but the role of different fat depots is unclear. The association between body fat, specifically visceral fat, and electrocardiographic measures of sympathetic activation in a population with structurally normal hearts was investigated. Methods In this cross‐sectional baseline analysis of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, body fat percentage was assessed with BIA and abdominal subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Mean heart rate (HR) and five other electrocardiographic measures of sympathetic activation were calculated. We performed multivariate linear regression analyses. Results In 868 participants with a mean age(SD) of 55(6) years, BMI of 26(4) kg/m 2 , 47% men, body fat was associated with HR and two other measures of sympathetic activation. Per sex‐specific SD total body fat, the difference in HR was 1.9 beats/min (95% CI: 1.0, 2.9; P < 0.001) and per SD waist circumference 2.1 beats/min (95% CI: 1.3, 2.9; P < 0.001). The difference in HR per SD VAT was 2.1 beats/min (95% CI: 1.3, 3.0; P < 0.001). Conclusions Body fat, especially visceral fat, was associated with electrocardiographic measures of sympathetic activation. Our study implies that already before the onset of cardiovascular disease, excess (visceral) body fat is associated with sympathetic activation.