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Weight Loss and High Blood Pressure
| Posted on Jul 22, 2011 |
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a common medical condition affecting about 30% of adults. High blood pressure is a major health problem because it increases the risk of heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease. The good news is that the most effective way to prevent and treat high blood pressure is a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity, weight loss, and a low salt diet all decrease your chance of developing high blood pressure.Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the inner walls of your blood vessels and is defined by two different measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure in your blood vessels when the heart is squeezing or pumping blood to your body. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart is relaxing.
A person has hypertension if they have 3-6 elevated blood pressures readings over a period of 2-3 months. Although blood pressure is constantly changing, there are parameters that are defined by the Joint National Committee (JNC) on Detection, Evaluation and Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure.
They are as follows:
Normal Blood Pressure: Systolic <120 mmHg and Diastolic <80 mmHg
Prehypertension: Systolic 120-139 mmHg or Diastolic 80-89 mmHg
Stage 1 High Blood Pressure: Systolic 140-159 mmHg and Diastolic 90-99 mmHg
Stage 2 High Blood Pressure: Systolic 160 mmHg and Diastolic 100 mmHg and above
In up to 95% of people with high blood pressure, an underlying medical condition causing the high blood pressure is never identified. This is called “essential” or “primary” hypertension. The other 5% are called “secondary” hypertension, usually due to endocrine, vascular or kidney problems.
Can Weight Loss Help Treat High Blood Pressure?
In more than 60% of those with primary hypertension the main contributor is lack of physical activity or excess weight. Family history, age, stress, smoking, medications, alcohol consumption, or diet can also contribute. Effective treatment for high blood pressure should include weight loss, regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet. By making healthier choices, many can decrease their blood pressure medications or even prevent high blood pressure in the first place. These changes include a low salt diet, minimizing alcohol consumption, and eating more fruits, vegetables and fish on a regular basis. Modest weight loss (5-10%) and regular physical activity can lower blood pressure as much as medication. Weight loss and regular physical activity along with watching your salt intake remains the cornerstone in treatment and prevention of high blood pressure.A simple plan for healthy, permanent weight loss. Visit us to learn how the Achieve-Life weight loss program can help you achieve the life you've always wanted.
All articles on Achieve-Life.com are written by board certified physicians.
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