Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk are intimately linked, with excess adiposity contributing to a range of metabolic, structural and inflammatory processes that accelerate cardiovascular disease. Obesity is associated with hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, sleep apnea, systemic inflammation and myocardial remodeling—all major contributors to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. As global obesity rates continue to rise, clinicians turn to expert-driven educational programmes and dedicated cardiology conference sessions to understand mechanisms, risk assessment strategies and evidence-based interventions. Because obesity is a major driver of cardiometabolic health, this session highlights integrated approaches that combine lifestyle management, pharmacotherapy and targeted cardiovascular prevention.

The session begins by exploring the complex pathophysiology linking obesity to impaired cardiovascular function. Visceral adiposity promotes metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and impaired glucose regulation. Adipokines, inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress create a pro-atherogenic environment that accelerates arterial plaque formation, endothelial injury and thrombosis. Left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and subclinical myocardial injury also develop in response to chronic hemodynamic load and metabolic strain.

Risk stratification is essential for identifying high-risk individuals. Attendees will learn how to integrate traditional risk calculators with emerging tools including coronary calcium scoring, carotid intima-media thickness, waist circumference, visceral fat assessment and advanced lipid biomarkers. The programme examines how obesity modifies risk in younger adults, women, ethnic minorities and individuals with hereditary predispositions.

Evidence-based management strategies form a major focus of the session. Lifestyle interventions remain foundational, including dietary change, physical activity, sleep optimisation and behavioural therapy. Pharmacological treatments—such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors and other metabolic agents—are discussed for their dual benefits on weight reduction and cardiovascular protection. Bariatric and metabolic surgery are explored as powerful strategies for selected individuals, with detailed discussion of eligibility criteria, risk–benefit analysis and long-term follow-up.

Obesity also influences arrhythmia burden, sleep apnea, exercise tolerance, vascular stiffness and heart failure risk. Participants will examine multi-specialty approaches including cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology and nutrition to address the full spectrum of obesity-related risk.

Future directions include personalised metabolic therapy, genomic risk profiling, AI-driven obesity prediction models, microbiome research and digital tools that support sustained weight management. This session equips clinicians with actionable knowledge to reduce cardiovascular risk and improve long-term outcomes through comprehensive obesity management.