Chirinos JA, et al. - Researchers examined 1,531 middle-aged community-based participants enrolled in the Asklepios study, by using speckle tracking echocardiography to quantify left atrial (LA) strain and strain rate (SR) as well as to compare LA function between individuals with body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m² (n=779), 25–29.9 kg/m² (n=618) and ≥30 kg/m² (n=134). They found the association of obesity with impaired reservoir and conduit LA function and higher booster function, which may be compensatory, in middle-aged adults. Also, a possible important role of loss of booster LA function, either attributed to more advanced LA dysfunction or atrial fibrillation, was suggested in precipitating heart failure in obese individuals.