The Link Between Being Overweight and Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition affecting more than 48% of adults in the United States. It causes no symptoms but can lead to life-threatening strokes and heart attacks.

Hypertension can develop for various reasons, but one of the most frequent is excess body weight. High-fat levels trigger a cascade of complex changes around the body that elevate blood pressure or make it harder to control.

At CareOne Internal Medicine and Primary Care’s offices in Houston and Katy, Texas, our experienced team promotes blood pressure screening to identify hypertension before it becomes dangerous. We also offer medical weight loss programs and other ways to keep blood pressure at a healthy level.

How being overweight causes or worsens hypertension

Excess weight impacts your blood pressure in several ways, each adding to the overall strain on your cardiovascular system. These effects include the following:

Insulin resistance

Being overweight frequently triggers insulin resistance, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes. When cells don’t respond to insulin properly, your pancreas produces more insulin to compensate. Over time, the pancreas struggles to keep up, leading to high blood sugar levels that damage arteries and worsen hypertension.

Renal compression

Excess fat puts physical pressure on your kidneys, impairing their ability to regulate your body’s salt and water levels. Additionally, obesity demands higher blood flow to the kidneys, further increasing strain on your heart and lungs.

Hormonal changes

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) controls blood volume and pressure. Excess weight disrupts the RAAS, leading to elevated hormone levels that promote high blood pressure.

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overactivity

Excess fat overstimulates the SNS, which is responsible for your body’s fight-or-flight response. Overstimulation leads to insulin resistance, organ damage, and complications like high blood pressure.

Leptin resistance

The digestive system hormone leptin signals fullness when eating. However, it often becomes ineffective in people with excess body weight, leading to overeating. This hormone dysfunction promotes weight gain and influences blood pressure regulation, contributing to hypertension.

The more excess fat you carry, the more at risk you are of hypertension.

Calculating your risk of weight-related hypertension

Body mass index (BMI), a ratio of weight to height, provides a rough guide to how much excess fat you carry. For example, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates you’re overweight, while 30 or higher suggests obesity.

While BMI offers a general guideline, it doesn’t account for where your body stores fat. Visceral fat, located around your abdomen, poses the highest risk for health complications, including hypertension. BMI calculations don’t factor in ethnic differences, either.

Many researchers consider waist size a better indicator of potential health risks. However, as BMI increases, so does the likelihood of hypertension.

Treating hypertension in people with weight problems

Managing weight problems and hypertension requires a comprehensive approach that includes weight loss, lifestyle changes, and medical interventions.

Weight loss

Losing weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce blood pressure and reverse obesity-related damage. Programs like ours at CareOne Internal Medicine incorporate medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, which suppress appetite, and Lipo C injections that enhance fat metabolism.

Lifestyle changes

Sustainable lifestyle changes are critical in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. These include:

• Eating a low-calorie, nutrient-rich diet
• Reducing salt and saturated fat intake
• Drinking more water
• Eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption
• Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
• Managing stress effectively
• Monitoring blood pressure regularly
• Ensuring adequate sleep each night

Addressing obesity and hypertension requires a long-term strategy. By committing to weight loss, adopting healthier habits, and seeking support, individuals can lower their blood pressure, improve their quality of life, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Call CareOne Internal Medicine and Primary Care today to schedule a weight assessment and blood pressure checkup. We also offer online bookings for in-person and telehealth appointments.