Objective: To determine the effect of obesity on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function by 2D Echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging technique.

Materials and Methods: The LV function was evaluated in 30 normal weight subjects (body mass index (BMI) <23 kg/m2 ), 30 overweight subjects (BMI 23-25 kg/m2) and 30 obese subjects ( BMI >25 kg/m2 ) in the age group of 20-40 years of both genders. They had no other pathological conditions. Peak early transmittal diastolic flow velocity (E), late transmitral diastolic flow velocity (A), early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E1), isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), and deceleration time(DT) were measured. E/A and E/E1were calculated.

Results: The E/A was lower in obese subjects than in normal weight subjects (p < 0.05). Overweight and obese subjects had lower E1 (p < 0.05) and higher E/E1 (both P<0.05), increased IVRT time and increased DT (both P < 0.05), than normal weight participants.

Conclusions: The increased risk of LV diastolic dysfunction in both overweight and obese persons may partially account for the increased risk of heart failure. In young obesity, promoting optimal body weight will result in improvement of LV diastolic function, and may have a beneficial effect in preventing the future development of heart failure.