It’s High Blood Pressure Education Month, and as a weight loss doctor, this health condition is one I frequently encounter in my practice. While it is becoming increasingly common, it’s a very serious condition that needs to be treated as soon as it’s diagnosed. Hypertension, if left untreated, carries risks of heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, vision loss, and cognitive decline. Fortunately, losing weight can help. Read on to learn about how.
Hypertension is commonly associated with obesity, as well as common lifestyle factors, like being sedentary, a high-sodium diet and trouble managing stress. Excess body weight can increase strain on the heart and blood vessels, which then leads to high blood pressure. For many people with hypertension, even modest weight loss can lower blood pressure to a healthier level. Read on to learn about how weight loss can help.
Obesity is a disease, not a personal failure, and it should be treated with the same medical seriousness as hypertension, diabetes, or sleep apnea. Weight loss can lower blood pressure in a few ways. With less excess weight to carry, there is a reduced cardiac workload. Losing weight also improves insulin sensitivity and decreases inflammation. This leads to better sleep and a lower risk of blood pressure-related complications.
The benefits of weight loss extend beyond reducing or eliminating high blood pressure. Weight loss may also improve or reduce the risk for several other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. If your weight puts you at risk for any of these conditions, it might be time to consider making a change. You may be thinking that this is all good to know, but losing weight is hard. Fortunately, there are options beyond changing your diet and exercise habits, which does not yield results for everyone.
When lifestyle changes don’t move the number on the scale, medical weight loss or weight loss surgery can often help. Medical weight loss includes nutrition counseling, behavior change counseling, exercise guidance, prescription medications, and ongoing physician supervision. For patients with obesity, weight loss surgery may be the best option, especially for long-term results. Remember, the goal is not simply to lose weight, but to treat a chronic disease and improve overall health outcomes.
If you have hypertension and obesity, and lifestyle changes have not yielded the results you’re looking for, speak with a qualified medical provider about evidence-based weight loss treatment. This is your life, and by taking control of your health, you can make that life more fulfilling.
