Only News Photos Video/Audio WEIGHT LOSS REVERSES HEART CHANGES IN OBESE TEENS _1 hour, 21 minutes ago_ NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Severely obese adolescents who undergo weight-loss surgery show substantial improvements subsequently in the size and functioning of their hearts, new findings indicate.In fact, reversal of heart abnormalities appears to be more likely in teenagers than in similar adults, Dr.M.And her associates report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology."This might be an argument for earlier intervention at younger ages in severely obese young people," the investigators suggest.Ippischs team reviewed the oues of 38 patients aged 13 to 19 years who underwent gastric bypass surgery at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center in Ohio.Weight prior to surgery averaged 175 kg or about 385 pounds, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 60.Within the following year, average weight dropped to 116 kg (255 pounds) and the average BMI fell to 40.Most patients were still over their ideal body weight, the groups average heart rate and blood pressure declined, probably reflecting the reduced workload placed on the heart.Being severely overweight leads eventually to enlargement of the heart, especially the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber.Surgery, only 36 percent of the group had a normal-size left ventricle; after surgery, this rose to 79 percent.Ultrasound also showed sizable reductions in the thickness of the walls of the heart, something that has not been observed in adult gastric-bypass patients, the investigators say.These promising results in teens, the team concludes that long-term follow-up is required to see if the improvements persist, and whether they translate into long-term reduction in the odds of developing heart disease as adults.SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, April 8, 2008.Yahoo!RMEND THIS STORY Rmend It: Not at All Somewhat Moderately Highly Very Highly Average (Not Rated) _AP_ _AP_ _AP_ _AP_ _AP_ _AP_ _AP_ _AP_ _Reuters_ _Reuters_ _ ABC News - Mon Mar 31, 11:32 AM ET_ _ CNN - Mon Mar 31, 12:01 PM ET_ _ ABC News - Mon Mar 31, 9:02 AM ET_ _ CNN - Mon Mar 31, 7:35 AM ET_ Sponsored Links ( ) $300,000 Mortgage for only $965/month.$1,000's - No obligation. $150,000 Mortgage for $483/month.To 4 free quotes.Mortgage Rates Hit 26 Month Lows.Your New Mortgage Payment. Health Video Elsewhere On The Web ABC NEWS: ABC NEWS: TIME: From Y!Find answers on Yahoo!Add Headlines To Your Personalized My Yahoo!Weight Loss News NEWS ALERTS __ Get an alert when there are new stories about: Ohio Journal of the American College of Cardiology SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Cardiology s Hospital Medical Center - - SEARCH: All News Yahoo!Only News Photos Video/Audio PRIMARY NAVIGATION Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited.Reserved.Read more Revlimid(lenalidomide) capsule [celgene corporation]
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