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US News: Obese Teens Can Have Heart Damage Without Showing Signs

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MONDAY, May 21 (HealthDay News) -- Heart damage can be present in obese teens who don't have any symptoms of heart disease, a small, preliminary study found.  Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, and previous research has shown that obese adults have damage to their hearts.  In the new study, researchers examined the heart structure and function of 97 adolescents -- 32 lean, 33 overweight and 32 obese -- with no symptoms of heart disease.  The results showed that the obese adolescents had damaged hearts with thicker walls and impaired heart function.  The study is scheduled for presentation today at the Heart Failure Congress in Belgrade, Serbia, an annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.