Influence of early-life body mass index and systolic blood pressure on left ventricle in adulthood – the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heiskanen, Jarkko S.; Hernesniemi, Jussi A.; Ruohonen, Saku; Hutri-Kähönen, Nina; Kähönen, Mika; Jokinen, Eero; Tossavainen, Päivi; Kallio, Merja; Laitinen, Tomi; Lehtimäki, Terho; Viikari, Jorma; Juonala, Markus; Nevalainen, Jaakko; Raitakari, Olli T.
• Is Part Of: Annals of medicine. Volume 53:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 160
• Page End: 168
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Left ventricular mass -- body mass index -- blood pressure -- risk factor -- epidemiology; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2020.1849785
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0785-3890

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) predicts cardiovascular events and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether early-life exposures to body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure (SPB) affects the left ventricular structure in adulthood. Methods: We used longitudinal data from a 31-year follow-up to examine the associations between early-life (between ages 6–18) BMI and SPB on LVM in an adult population ( N = 1864, aged 34–49). The burden of early-life BMI and SBP was defined as area under the curve. Results: After accounting for contemporary adult determinants of LVM, early-life BMI burden associated significantly with LVM (3.61 g/SD increase in early-life BMI; [1.94 − 5.28], p < 0.001). Overweight in early-life (age- and sex-specific BMI values corresponding to adult BMI > 25 kg/m 2 ) associated with 4.7% (2.5–6.9%, p < 0.0001) higher LVM regardless of BMI status in adulthood. Overweight in early-life combined with obesity in adulthood (BMI > 30kg/m 2 ) resulted in a 21% (17.3–32.9%, p < 0.0001) increase in LVM. Higher early-life BMI was associated with a risk of developing eccentric hypertrophy. The burden of early-life SPB was not associated with adult LVM or left ventricular remodeling. Conclusions: High BMI in early-life confers a sustained effect on LVM and the risk for eccentric hypertrophy independently of adulthood risk factors. KEY MESSAGES: Excess in BMI in early-life has an independent effect on LVM and the risk of developing eccentric hypertrophy regardless of overweight status in adulthood. Systolic blood pressure levels in early-life did not have an independent effect on LVM or LV remodeling. The clinical implication of this study is that primary prevention of obesity in early-life may prevent the development of high LVM and eccentric hypertrophy.