Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction Among Youth with Obesity and History of Elevated Blood Pressure

Researchers conducted the study for evaluating the prevalence of and factors associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in youth with obesity and elevated blood pressure (BP). Cross-sectional analyses of baseline and follow up visits of 83 youth, 5-21 years, assessed for overweight/obesity and elevated BP in a multidisciplinary clinic. Using pediatric criteria, LVDD was present in a substantial proportion of youth with overweight/obesity and elevated BP. Those with LVDD had significantly greater measures of adiposity and BP vs those without LVDD and DBP z-score was an independent predictor of LVDD by E/A. Such data highlight the significance of preventing and treating CVD risk factors in childhood.