Can Weight Loss Lower Blood Pressure? The Connection and the Facts

High blood pressure, commonly known as hypertension, is when the pressure in the arteries exceeds 140/90 mmHg.

High blood pressure can lead to a variety of different health problems and even death.

The prevalence of high blood pressure is on the rise globally, with an estimated 1 billion adults suffering from it.

Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious complications such as heart failure or stroke.

Increased stress, excess body weight and unhealthy diet are just some of the risk factors for developing high blood pressure. There are various lifestyle changes that can help lower your blood pressure.

In this article, we explore whether losing weight lowers blood pressure and the link between obesity and hypertension.


Can weight loss lower blood pressure?

You are more likely to have high blood pressure if you are overweight or obese.

As your body weight increases, your blood pressure actually rises. Even a 10-pound weight loss can lower blood pressure, and people who are overweight and already have hypertension are more likely to experience this benefit.

Additionally, being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing heart disease. Moreso, being overweight or obese raises your risk of acquiring diabetes and high blood cholesterol, two additional heart disease risk factors.

You can tell if someone is overweight or obese by taking two important measurements. They are waist circumference and body mass index, or BMI.

“BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. It gives an approximation of total body fat—and that’s what increases the risk of diseases that are related to being overweight”.

But risk cannot be determined solely by BMI. For instance, BMI may overestimate body fat in a person who is particularly muscular or who has swelling from fluid retention (called edema).

In older people or those who are losing muscle, BMI may underestimate the true body fat.

Due to this, the waist measurement is frequently examined as well. Another reason is that having too much belly fat raises your chances of contracting a disease. For women, a waist measurement of over 35 inches and for men, over 40 inches, is regarded as high.

It’s crucial to reduce weight gradually if you need to. Lose between 1/2 and 2 pounds per week. Start by aiming to lose 10% of your present weight. The highest possibility of long-term success and the healthiest approach to shed pounds is with this method.

There isn’t a secret to losing weight. You must consume fewer calories each day than you expend in everyday activity.

The precise number of calories you burn each day depends on a variety of variables, including your body size and level of physical activity.

To know how much calories you need to consume, use our calorie calculator https://trendohealthtips.com/calorie-calculator-for-weight-loss/ to determine it.

What is the link between obesity and high blood pressure?

Blood pressure and the risk of developing hypertension are closely related to obesity and excess weight. In the 1920s, it was found that there was a strong correlation between body weight and blood pressure in men.

This relationship has been repeatedly substantiated by epidemiological research over time.

The Framingham Study found that both sexes of obese individuals experience hypertension almost twice as frequently as non-obese individuals.

When comparing obese people to nonobese people, Stamler and his research colleagues reported an odds ratio of 2.42 for younger people and 1.54 for older adults (BMI less than 25).

In yet another Study, it was discovered that obese women had a 2- to 6-fold higher prevalence of hypertension when compared to women with BMIs of less than 22 and those above 29.

Ways to Lose Weight and lower blood pressure

There are many different ways to lose weight and lower your blood pressure.

Following a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine are good places to start.

1. A healthy diet – A healthy diet is the foundation to weight loss. It’s important to eat healthier, nutritious foods with low sodium, sugar, and fat content.

2. A regular exercise routine – Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy diet. Choose an activity you enjoy, as this will be much more sustainable in the long run.

3. Improving sleep – Getting enough sleep every night is important for overall health. Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain due to the body being less efficient at burning calories.

4. Medication in some cases – If you’re struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about medication.

Bottom line

It’s clear that obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure.

Therefore, weight loss is one of the best ways to reduce blood pressure and prevent it from getting worse.

Keep in mind that losing weight is a long-term process. It’s important to set realistic goals, and to make sure you have a plan in place so you don’t lose motivation along the way!

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