Summary

Obesity is an inflammatory process, and as visceral adipose tissue (VAT) increases, inflammation increases. As the components of metabolic syndrome increase, inflammation increases, as shown by increases in C-reactive protein (CRP) in the Women's Health Study [Ridker PM et al. Circulation 2003]. Additionally, this article discusses the role of epicardial and intrathoracic fat with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, and the association between low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; <60 mg/dL) and increased hazard of coronary heart disease, stroke, and CV events.