Alarm bells are often sounded about the link between obesity and heart disease, but what's less well-known is the impact of medication on this association. A ground-breaking new study published in The Lancet reveals that increased use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medication among people with obesity has significantly narrowed the gap in blood pressure and cholesterol levels between those with a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) and those who are obese.
Researchers combined data from 110 national surveys and almost one million adults across seven industrialised countries to reach this conclusion. The study highlights that while medication is helping to reduce some of the risk associated with obesity, it's crucially important not to assume that being prescribed medication means you're no longer at risk of heart problems. Professor Robert Storey, a cardiologist at the University of Sheffield, notes that high cholesterol and blood pressure can increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke, regardless of your weight.
One of the most worrying findings from this study is that younger adults – those under 40 – are not receiving the preventive medication they need. This age group may think they're safe, but in reality, they could be at risk of cardiovascular disease due to inherited factors or high cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
While the study's authors acknowledge some limitations, such as being unable to measure actual heart attacks, strokes, or deaths directly, Dr Marie Spreckley from the University of Cambridge is clear in her assessment: "The use of medication has undoubtedly played a significant role in reducing the gap between those with obesity and those with a normal BMI when it comes to blood pressure and cholesterol levels." However, she also cautions that this shouldn't be taken as evidence that obesity has become benign. "We need to remain vigilant about other risk factors, such as low HDL cholesterol levels, which persist in people with obesity."
The study's findings are a welcome development, but they also highlight the importance of continuing to monitor and address the root causes of obesity and its associated health risks. As Professor Storey notes, "This is an important step forward, but we mustn't assume it means we've 'solved' the problem."