Overweight and Hypertension

Abstract

The interrelationships between hypertension and obesity, two common and major health hazards, are reviewed. Comparisons of simultaneous intra-arterial and cuff blood pressure measurements indicate in general that the association between blood pressure and body weight is real and independent of arm circumference. Hypertension is more common among the obese than among the nonobese and, conversely, a significant proportion of hypertensive persons in the population are overweight. Obese hypertensive subjects experience a greater risk of coronary heart disease than the nonobese, and mortality rates for obese hypertensive persons are higher than for those with obesity alone or hypertension alone. Weight reduction has been shown to lower blood pressure, and it may bring about a more favorable prognosis in obese hypertensive persons. Possible mechanisms that may be responsible for the frequent association between obesity and hypertension have been discussed. Irrespective of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, the adverse metabolic and hemodynamic effects of obesity upon hypertension impose an extra burden and strain on the circulatory system and compromise its functional adequacy. Although it is not precisely known to what extent weight reduction alone may be effective in controlling or preventing the lesser degrees of hypertension, the control of obesity should be an intrinsic part of any therapeutic or preventive antihypertensive regimen.

Gender specific differences in left ventricular adaptation to obesity and hypertension

“…[1][2][3] Obesity and hypertension, in themselves important independent predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, 4,5 have also been identified as aetiologic factors in the development of LVH. [6][7][8][9] Obesity and hypertension often coexist in the same patient 10,11 and their joint influences on left ventricular mass (LVM) are reported to be at least additive. 9,12 However, while eccentric hypertrophy is the predominant response pattern in obesity, concentric hypertrophy is more closely related to hypertension.…”

The contribution of genes, environment and of body mass to blood pressure variance in young adult males

“…[1][2][3] Moreover essential hypertension and (especially central) obesity appear to cluster, together with hypertriglyceridaemia, decreased levels of high density lipoprotein, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia. 4 The mechanisms behind the clustering of these risk factors and of BP and BMI in particular, have been the subject of extensive research.…”

Obesity and blood pressure in the elderly free-living population

“…In younger subjects body weight appears to have a greater influence on BP in women than in men. 8 NHANES report found a four-fold increase in BP in women with established obesity, whereas the impact of body weight was less significant in men. 5 It seems that the same phenomenon may occur in the elderly.…”