Both your weight and your blood pressure are important aspects of your health. Though they’re connected, one doesn’t necessarily lead to the other. There are some important connections to understand so that you can maintain a healthy weight and a healthy heart. Let’s take at the look at the relationship between obesity and blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure will be. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as the silent killer. It has almost no symptoms, but even without symptoms is very dangerous. High Blood Pressure often leads to cardiovascular diseases including heart disease.
Weight is a Factor for High Blood Pressure
Weight and blood pressure are intimately connected.
The Framingham Heart Study, a famous 44 year study, showed a link between being overweight and having high blood pressure. The study estimated that above all excess body weight (overweight or obese) accounted for more than 26% of all hypertension cases in men and 28% in women. Individuals who are overweight and obese have an increase in fatty tissue that increases their vascular resistance and makes their heart work harder to pump the blood to various parts of the body.
For instance, often times, when people with high blood pressure lose weight, their blood pressure drops.
Treating Hypertension
There are many options when it comes to treating hypertension, for instance some of the most common include:
- Shed extra pounds
- Exercise every single day
- Eat whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables
- Cut down on sodium
- Limit alcohol and smoking
- Reduce stress and manage anxiety
- Cut back on caffeine
- Take blood pressure medication
Combating Obesity
Obesity contributes to many different health problems, above all, high blood pressure. In conclusion, in order to avoid many health problems, combat obesity and maintain a healthy weight. Some ways that you can do this include:
- Exercise regularly
- Make a meal plan and stick to it
- Recognize your triggers
- Meet with a dietician
- Train with a personal trainer
- Control emotional eating
- Keep a food journal
- Ask for support from love ones
- Be consistent
- Use a hunger scale
Conclusion
Obesity and blood pressure are interconnected. Maintaining your weight will help maintain a healthy blood pressure level.