Analysis of the Associations between Obesity Indices and Left Ventricular Mass

The aims of this study were to investigate the association between different obesity indices and left ventricular mass (LVM) and to develop interventions for obese hypertensive patients to delay the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The association between the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and LVM was explored using multiple regression analysis in all subjects (n = 1,035), the subgroups of patients aged < 65 (n = 713) and ≥65 years (n = 322), and perimenopausal women (n = 319). The VAI was the only obesity index associated with LVH (OR = 1.134; 95% CI 1.025-1.254, p = 0.015). In the subgroup of patients aged < 65 years, both systolic blood pressure and VAI were risk factors for LVH. However, in the subgroup aged ≥65 years, only systolic blood pressure was a risk factor, and there was no association between VAI and LVH (p = 0.13). Perimenopause was an independent risk factor (OR = 1.786; 95% CI 1.125-2.837, p = 0.014). Reducing the VAI rather than the BMI or waist circumference may prevent LVH complications in obese hypertensive patients. For patients aged < 65 years strict control of blood pressure and obesity may be important, and for those aged ≥65 years blood pressure control should be the priority. Estrogen replacement may be useful in postmenopausal women to prevent LVH.