Introduction and objective:
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are life-threatening conditions, characterized by limited or absent blood flow in the coronary arteries. Diagnosis of ACS depends on clinical symptoms, characteristic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, and increased biochemical markers of myocardial necrosis above reference values. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of overweight and obesity on the clinical course and prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Material and methods:
The study was conducted in the 2nd Cardiology Clinic in Kielce, south-east Poland. The study included 256 patients diagnosed with ACS, unstable angina (UA), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Males constituted 58.6% of the total number of patients, and persons aged 65 and older – 51.2%. The study was of an observational, case-control character. The procedure covered anthropometric measurements, collection of fasting venous blood samples, and analysis of patients’ medical records.

Results:
The mean BMI in the examined population was 28.86(±4.85) kg/m²; mean body weight – 80.08(±16.03) kg; 41.8% of patients were diagnosed with overweight, 35.9% with obesity. The mean total cholesterol level in the examined population was 191.11(±51.28) mg/dL, and mean LVEF – 51.35 (±8.86)%. Coronary angiography was performed on 95.7% of patients. The most common risk factors for CVD were: arterial hypertension (65.6%), and hypercholesterolaemia (50.0%).

Conclusions:
Overweight or obesity increases the risk of occurrence of classical cardiovascular risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and type 2 diabetes. In patients with ACS, obesity was related with renal failure. In overweight and obese persons coronary angiography was most often performed.