Obesity is an increasing global health problem, with millions facing severe complications, including an increased risk of cardiac arrest. Many people suffering from obesity also experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which increases the likelihood of heart disease. Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss procedure that as per experts reduces the risk of cardiac arrest in patients who are obese and suffer from sleep apnea.
But how? To understand the relationship between weight loss surgery and lower cardiac arrest risk we got in touch with Dr Sanjay Verma, Director, Minimal Access, GI and Bariatric Surgery, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi. How Is Obesity, Sleep Apnea, and Heart Disease Connected? Obesity means having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher with comorbidities. It is not merely a cosmetic procedure but a significant health risk associated with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and most alarmingly, cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiac arrest is mostly an issue for people with obesity, as excess body fat places strain on the heart, increases blood pressure, and promotes fatty deposits in the arteries. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), common among the obese, increases the risk of heart disease. “OSA occurs when a person excessively relaxes their throat muscles, leading to blockage of the airway resulting in the cessation of the metabolic process (breathing).
This condition interrupts a person’s sleep and lowers the blood oxygen level from time to time giv.
