Obesity and heart failure.

Current statistics on global obesity are staggering. In 2002, the International Obesity Task Force estimated that worldwide, nearly 1 billion (6%) people were overweight or obese. The American Heart Association's 2002: "Top 10" Research Advances for the Treatment of Heart Disease include obesity as a strong and independent risk factor for developing heart failure. This article outlines national and world statistics, cardiac risk factors, and pathophysiologic theories outlining the cellular mechanisms that associate obesity and heart failure. Access to guidelines for effective screening, evaluation, and treatment of obesity are also provided.