The obesity paradox, which suggests a survival advantage for the obese in heart failure (HF) has sparked debate in the medical community. Studies demonstrate a survival advantage in obese patients with HF, including those with advanced HF requiring continuous inotropic support for palliation or disease modifying therapy with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or heart transplantation (HT). Importantly, the obesity paradox is affected by the level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). It is now recommended that HF patients with body mass index ≥35 kg/m2 achieve at least 5–10% weight loss, in order to improve symptoms and cardiac function, though more robust data are urgently needed. CRF may be the single best predictor of overall health and small improvements in fitness levels may lead to improved outcomes in HF. In addition to implications of obesity in chronic HF, we also discuss management of obese patients with advanced HF and their implications for therapies such as LVAD implantation and HT. •Heart failure patients with a body mass index ≥35 kg/m2 should achieve at least 5–10% weight loss.•The obesity paradox has been demonstrated in patients receiving palliative inotropic therapy, LVAD and heart transplant.•Bariatric surgery performed concomitantly with LVAD implantation may be a promising means of achieving bridge to transplant.