Effects of childhood obesity on myocardial performance, autonomic and conduction properties of the heart.

Background: Childhood obesity tends to persist into adulthood and associated with increase in developing ischemic and non-ischemic cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity on cardiac functions, atrial electromechanical coupling, and heart rate response, which are considered to be predictors of atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest.

Methods: Study population included 52 obese children and 52 healthy controls.