Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction increasingly driven by severe obesity, affects millions worldwide and lacks well-defined mechanisms and effective therapies. However, findings from a landmark study recently published in Science suggest that higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with impaired sarcomere function despite preserved ejection fraction. One of the study investigators, David A. Kass, MD, FAHA, discussed the findings and their implications for molecular targeting and reversibility with weight loss during a featured session on day one of BCVS 2026. In this related interview, moderated by Susmita Sahoo, PhD, Dr. Kass and Dr. Sahoo further explore the study design, potential mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic insights arising from this work.

• Science: Severe obesity in human HFpEF alters contractile protein function and organization
• Circulation: Prospective Associations of Obesity and Obesity Severity With 9 Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Cross-Cohort Collaboration