Carrying extra weight can affect more than just how your clothes fit — it can also strain your heart.
At Novell Primary Care and Weight Loss, we often see how weight and high blood pressure (hypertension) go hand-in-hand. The good news? Understanding this link is the first step toward protecting your heart and reclaiming your health.
Take a moment as our team explains the link between being overweight and hypertension and how our primary care services and weight management in Tallahassee, Florida, can help you tackle both concerns.
About 75% of Americans are either overweight or obese, and unfortunately, obesity accounts for up to 78% of hypertension diagnoses. Even a modest weight gain of just 5-10 pounds can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.
But how exactly does your weight impact your blood pressure? There isn’t just one answer to that question.
Carrying extra weight can:
When you’re overweight, your body requires more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. That means your heart has to work harder, and the added pressure on your artery walls raises your blood pressure.
Extra weight, especially around your belly, can also trigger inflammation that further increases blood pressure and makes it harder for your blood vessels to relax and function properly.
Visceral fat (the deep abdominal fat surrounding your organs) is particularly dangerous because it releases cytokines, which are inflammatory proteins that interfere with the normal function of your heart and blood vessels.
Losing weight can help reduce this inflammation and improve endothelial function (the thin lining inside your arteries). When your endothelium functions better, your heart health improves too.
Excess weight also contributes to insulin resistance, which disrupts your body’s ability to manage blood sugar. This can lead to even higher insulin levels. Insulin resistance can make it harder for your body to excrete sodium.
To put it another way, high insulin levels can raise your blood pressure by promoting sodium retention.
Even small reductions in weight can make a big impact on your blood pressure. Losing as little as 5-10% of your body weight can lower your numbers, reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, and improve how you feel.
Your weight and blood pressure are closely connected, so improving one can have a positive impact on the other, but you don’t have to do that on your own. At Novell Primary Care and Weight Loss, we offer:
Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with high blood pressure or want to prevent it, our team is here to guide you through your weight loss journey safely.
Schedule a consultation at Novell Primary Care and Weight Loss today and take the first step toward a healthier heart and a healthier you.
