The German and Swiss study of 1,676 patients hospitalized for unstable angina or a specific type of heart attack could not determine exactly why obese patients had a lower mortality rate.
Although several factors suggest factors other than weight contributes to these findings, researchers believe the patient's body mass index was key in their increased rate of survival.
For instance, levels of blood platelets that cause clotting are lower in obese people and higher fat tissue levels in the heart may help in protecting the organ.
Lead researcher Dr Heinz Buettner said: "Although there is no doubt that people who are overweight, obese and very obese have a higher risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease, the evidence from our study shows once a coronary event has occurred and been optimally treated, obese patients switch to a more favorable prognosis compared to normal weight patients."
The study also noted that there is also a higher instance of obese patients for these complications, which could have influenced study results.
He said, "Not all patients can be treated with early revascularization because an acute coronary syndrome always has the risk of sudden cardiac death.
"It is well known that even a modest intentional weight loss can improve or prevent obesity-related cardiovascular risk factors."
