Abstract
Obesity is on the on hand associated with classical risk factors for the development
of chronic heart failure. On the other hand according to large scale epidemiologic
trials a remarkable portion of the prevalence of chronic heart failure must be attributed
to obesity alone. Explanations for the obesity associated heart failure have been
given on pathophysiologic and molecular level. The central therapeutic approach to
treat obesity related diseases is weight reduction. However, referring to large retrospective
studies investigating the obesity paradox in chronic heart failure patients, existing
overweight and obesity seem to be beneficial.