THIS Popular Weight Loss Surgery Is Said To Lower Cardiac Arrest Risk! Expert Explains How

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 given the number of times one wakes up during the process. This health issue however is more common among people who are obese as there is a lot of extra fat in the neck that makes breathing during sleep quite challenging,” Dr Sanjay said.

Both sleep apnea and obesity constitute a serious threat of heart disease when they are put together. Patients with untreated OSA have a greater prevalence of hypertension, heart failure and arrhythmias which are significant risk factors for cardiac arrest.

Bariatric surgery is a surgical weight loss method undergone mainly by people with severe obesity. Bariatric surgery comes in three main forms – gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric band. The determination of which method to apply is primarily focused on how food consumption will be controlled, the amount of calories to be disseminated or changing the appetite:

1. ‘Gastric Bypass’ changes both the structure and placement of the oesophagus into the inner portion of the stomach creating a compact section of which only small amounts of food can be fed.

2. Sleeve Gastrectomy systematically removes portions of the stomach creating a sleeve portion of the stomach which is smaller in size than the original stomach for overriding functions of the mother organ.

3. Adjustable Gastric Banding involves placing an adjustable band above the stomach pouch and creating a pouch on the upper stomach to enable eating fewer amounts of food.

“It has also been noted that the weight loss from these procedures aids in the improvement of cardiovascular conditions by the decrease of blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels which are factors that contribute to heart-related events including cardiac arrest,” Dr Sanjay said.

Various research has shown a positive effect of bariatric surgery on heart health. Weight loss from bariatric surgery takes a lot of undue burden off the heart, reduces blood pressure, and improves cholesterol levels, all of which solve the puzzle of cardiac arrest risk. It was established in one study published in JAMA, that patients who had undergone surgical weight loss had a 50 per cent reduction in heart attacks and stroke compared to those who had not.

“Bariatric surgery is also very effective for managing OSA. The loss of weight around the neck makes it easier to breathe at night and many patients do not need CPAP therapy. Since sleep apnoea is resolved, bariatric surgery decreases nighttime arrhythmias and enhances tissue oxygenation, both contributing to reduced cardiac arrest risk,” he said.

In addition to providing more rapid weight loss, bariatric surgery has long-term cardiovascular benefits. Research has shown that people with joint replacements are less likely to get heart disease and they live longer. It decreases your requirement to take medications for high blood pressure diabetes and/or cholesterol.

On the other hand, bariatric surgery has its dangers. Complications include infections, malnutrition (nutrient deficiency) and the requirement for further surgery. This involves a lifetime of adapting to new eating habits and close medical surveillance.

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