Can hypothalamic obesity increase the risk of heart problems?

Question

Hello doctor,

My husband has hypothalamic obesity after his brain surgery a few years back, and the weight gain since then has been so hard to watch; he went from about 176 lbs to almost 265 lbs in less than two years. His last checkup showed his triglycerides at 310 mg/dL and fasting glucose at 118 mg/dL.

The cardiologist looked worried but did not explain much to us. Can hypothalamic obesity cause heart problems at age 72, or is the weight gain itself the main thing we should be focusing on?

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concerns. Obesity caused by a problem with the hypothalamus following an operation on the brain might be a contributing factor to heart disease. The issue in question is the fast weight gain that comes together with other factors, which can affect health negatively. It should be noted that when the hypothalamus is affected, it becomes difficult to control one's weight.

The sudden increase in weight from 176 lbs to 264 lbs is considerable and may result in increased triglycerides, insulin resistance, as suggested by his fasting glucose level of 118 mg/dL, hypertension, sleep apnea, and an extra burden on the heart.

Taking into account the fact that he is at your husband's age, it is crucial to concentrate not only on his weight but also on the related health risks. The triglyceride level of 310 md/dL is quite high and needs treatment.

I think that it will be appropriate if his doctors check his blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, heart function, and possibly perform tests for sleep apnea in case there are any symptoms of it (snoring, etc.). Hypothalamic obesity is a complicated problem, which is why its proper treatment may require the joint efforts of specialists in such fields as cardiology, endocrinology, nutrition, and weight management.

Hope the above information is helpful.

Best wishes.