Impact of obesity on walking capacity and cardiovascular parameters in patients with peripheral artery disease: A cross-sectional study

Background Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) present a high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as diseases related to cardiovascular dysfunction. However, whether obesity influences walking capacity and cardiovascular function in patients with PAD is poorly understood. Objectives The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of obesity on walking capacity and cardiovascular parameters in patients with PAD. Design This is a cross-sectional study. Setting Patients were recruited from public hospitals of Sao Paulo. Methods One-hundred two patients with PAD and symptoms of intermittent claudication were recruited and divided into 2 groups according to their body mass index: normal weight ( Results The speed domain of the Walking Impairment Questionnaire was lower in the overweight/obese group compared to the normal weight group (32 ± 20 vs 21 ± 16, respectively, P  Conclusion Obesity influences resting heart rate and walking speed in patients with PAD.