Weight and pressure - how are they related? 6 reasons to watch your diet

06.06.2017

Obesity and arterial hypertension almost always occur simultaneously in humans. Excess weight is a consequence of poor nutrition, which leads to high blood pressure.

Excess weight is a problem for the human body, because it causes various diseases and complications. First, the heart suffers because its work intensifies. A stressful work regime leads to the development of arrhythmia, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, heart attack, ischemia and other serious diseases. It has been proven more than once that high weight and blood pressure have a causal relationship.

Why obesity increases blood pressure

Many people who have extra pounds get used to them over time and consider their weight to be normal. If the weight is more than necessary, then the normal pressure for such a person will increase four times.

It is safe to say that obesity and resulting hypertension are closely related. Even a few kilograms of excess weight increases the average by several millimeters. But how can a person at home determine whether he has extra pounds?

The answer is simple, there is a formula that will help you calculate your body mass index. What it is? This is the ideal weight for your body.

The formula looks like this: you need to divide your weight by your height squared. For example, a person weighs 60 kilograms and is 1.70 meters tall. The calculation will look like this: 60 : (1.7*1.7)=20.7

Now let's look at the indicators:

The norm is 20 – 25.
Extra kilos 25 -30.
Obesity 30 or more.

If your indicators are normal, we sincerely congratulate you, keep it up! If you have extra pounds, just arrange fasting days for yourself once a week. You can choose the products for this yourself, but you shouldn’t drive yourself to exhaustion. In other words, you need to choose something that will saturate the body with useful substances. It can be cottage cheese, buckwheat, kefir, beets and much more.

Overweight and high blood pressure

High blood pressure is the main symptom of hypertension. It is not possible to indicate the exact cause of the primary disease. It is not entirely correct to say that obesity directly leads to the development of pathology, and, consequently, to an increase in tonometer readings. Not all obese people necessarily fall into the ranks of hypertensives. However, excess weight and blood pressure are closely related. Obesity is one of the common factors contributing to hypertension.

What pathologies can occur due to excess weight

With large body weight, people cause themselves a lot of problems, in addition, various pathologies arise, for example: hypertension, pulmonary embolism, oncology, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, stroke, metabolic disorders.

Excess weight indicates poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and cholesterol accumulation. All this is a direct indication of high blood pressure.

If you are overweight, your heart begins to work harder, and this is a big burden for it. Because of this, blood circulation is disrupted, and it affects blood pressure.
Speaking of nutrition, the cause is fatty foods and fast food. Perhaps an overweight person uses it every day, which should not be done.
Increased cholesterol levels also cause high blood pressure. Because atherosclerotic plaques block the lumen of the blood vessel, blood circulation slows down, and the pressure increases because of this.

It is impossible to say for sure that being overweight, such a person will develop hypertension. Because the cause of high blood pressure is all the factors listed above. After all, they not only add extra pounds to people, but also accompany the appearance of pressure. It is because of this that obesity should be combated, thus reducing blood pressure.

Determination of weight parameters

Often overweight people claim that they feel quite comfortable, despite the extra pounds. However, upon examination, they are found to have high blood sugar levels. The cardiogram shows malfunctions of the heart, tonometry shows high numbers of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

To avoid disagreements regarding acceptable and abnormal body weight, special formulas have been developed. Using them, each person can independently calculate their ideal weight. That is, a mass at which not only normal health is maintained, but also there are no disturbances in the functioning of internal organs.

The most convenient formula is that body mass index is equal to weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of height (in meters). If the result obtained is more than 25, we can talk about the presence of excess kilograms. An index over 30 indicates obesity.

See also Causes and treatment of high lower pressure

Example: a 26-year-old woman, height 165 cm and weight 58 kg. BMI = 58 / (1.65×1.65) = 21.30 According to the above data, the body mass index corresponds to the established norm.

The body mass index calculated using the formula and its value has an error. After all, the calculation does not take into account the person’s body type and age. Therefore, you should pay attention to other criteria for the presence or absence of weight problems.

An important indicator is the distribution of body fat.

If your waist circumference exceeds your hip circumference, you are at risk of developing obesity-induced hypertension. The accumulation of large amounts of fat in the abdominal area is dangerous because lipids easily penetrate the bloodstream and envelop the internal organs.

Visceral (intra-abdominal) fat synthesizes about 30 hormone-like substances. They have a negative effect on blood vessels and the condition of the myocardium. Therefore, the combination of abdominal obesity and arterial hypertension is fraught with serious complications.

Important! For women, the waist circumference should not exceed 94 cm. For men, the upper limit of the same indicator is 102 cm.

Abdominal obesity cannot be ignored even after treatment for hypertension has begun. Losing weight and losing extra centimeters on the waist and abdomen not only improves the general condition, but also allows you to reduce the dosage of antihypertensive and cardioprotective medications taken.

Possible dangers of this condition

Extra pounds appear if there are metabolic disorders. In addition, obesity contributes to a reduction in human life expectancy.

If a patient is diagnosed with hypertension and excess weight at the same time, then the fight against unnecessary kilograms will be prescribed by a doctor in the form of therapy. If they are not, then obesity prevention will be recommended. The patient must strictly comply with everything that the doctor prescribes and recommends to him. Because excess weight against the background of high blood pressure is too dangerous for the patient. The harm this can cause to the body is colossal.

If you eat junk food, a large amount of cholesterol will accumulate in your body. Over time, atherosclerotic plaques appear, which settle on the walls of blood vessels and gradually narrow their lumen. Because of this, normal blood circulation is disrupted and blood pressure increases. In addition, the elasticity of the walls is lost.

Against this background, blood clots may appear that block the blood flow completely. Severe hypertension or hypertensive crisis will occur.

If cholesterol plaques get into the coronary artery and block its lumen, this will result in a stroke.

This situation can arise if the level of cholesterol in the blood is high, and it can enter there along with junk food. If the patient does not exercise much, smokes, or drinks alcohol, his heart may fail and a heart attack may occur.

High blood pressure in overweight people

What is the mechanism for increasing blood pressure in the body? Increased resistance to blood flow in the capillary walls occurs in the following cases:

The volume of blood pumped by the heart through the vessels increases significantly.
The consistency of the blood changes and it becomes more viscous.
The vessels lose their elasticity, and their ability to self-regulate is impaired.
The lumen of the vascular bed is narrowed, and blood transportation through it is difficult.

Excess weight negatively affects the functioning of the heart muscle and the condition of the blood and blood vessels. And this, in turn, is reflected in the level of blood pressure. Considering the reasons listed above for the effect of blood on blood vessels, one can easily trace the relationship between excess weight and blood pressure levels.

The heart of an overweight person is forced to work harder. More mass means more tissues that need to be provided with nutrition and oxygen, which means more blood and more effort of the heart muscle are needed. As a result, the volume of pumped blood increases, and blood pressure also increases.
Extra pounds are acquired mainly due to excessive consumption of sweets. Blood sugar rises and it becomes more viscous. Thick blood can cause blood clots to form, making it difficult for blood to move through the circulatory system. In addition, liquid of such consistency is difficult to pass through the vessels, the heart contracts more strongly, the vessels experience tension, and the pressure increases.
In order to gain weight, you need to eat a lot. Rich and unhealthy food includes a lot of fatty and salty foods (convenience foods, fast food, chips, crackers, lard, smoked meats). Fat is a source of cholesterol; excess cholesterol in the blood leads to blockage and narrowing of the lumen of the vessel. Cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels are already atherosclerosis, a faithful companion of hypertension. Excess salt leads to fluid retention in the body, edema, increased blood volume, and impaired blood flow in the kidneys. All this leads to a rise in blood pressure.
A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the appearance of fat deposits and weight gain. But physical inactivity is also one of the factors of hypertension. Low physical activity impairs blood circulation and weakens the heart. As a result, the vessels lose their elasticity and become sluggish, which increases the level of blood pressure on the vascular walls. It turns out that the same factor leads to extra pounds and an increase in blood pressure monitor readings. This suggests a close relationship between excess weight and a person’s blood pressure level.
Excess weight leads to an inferiority complex and depression. This means that the nervous system is depleted, the body is constantly in a stressful situation. Neuroses are recognized as the most important factor provoking a rise in blood pressure. Excessive tension in the nervous system complicates the work of the heart, blood vessels lose the ability to self-regulate and cannot adequately respond to the influence of nerve impulses.

If, in addition to excess weight, there are other provoking factors, the risk of developing hypertension increases significantly. Thus, high blood pressure is most likely to affect obese people who:

do not want to give up bad habits;
have relatives with hypertension (genetic factor);
suffer from chronic diseases (heart, blood vessels, kidneys, central nervous system, endocrine system); in this case, increased pressure will be a symptom of one of these diseases.

How to properly lose weight with high blood pressure

Scientists have repeatedly proven that eliminating extra pounds affects blood pressure levels, they are significantly reduced. When a person loses five kilograms, the pressure drops by three millimeters, and when by ten kilograms, then by seven millimeters.

It is important that weight loss occurs correctly and slowly. If you lose kilos quickly, the consequences can be sad for the body. Complications may occur due to high blood pressure. You need to lose weight gradually, that is, over the course of six months you should lose no more than ten percent of your weight. So, you can not only lose the “unnecessary” weight, but also not gain weight again. If weight loss occurs too quickly, the body will experience a lot of stress and will try to recover by consuming any product. In other words, he will make provisions for the future.

You cannot choose any quick diets, because the extra pounds will return as soon as possible, and the body will be weakened by hunger strike.

A diet was developed especially for hypertensive patients; it will not only remove extra pounds, but also reduce blood pressure.

There are several recommendations that will help you lose weight properly with high blood pressure:

You need to gain as many calories per day as you burn.
Take the next meal only when the body requires it.
If the patient experiences hunger throughout the day, you need to eat small portions six times a day.
The amount of liquid you drink should be at least three liters.

By following these recommendations, you can properly lose weight with high blood pressure.

To consolidate the results obtained, you need to play sports.

Exercise for hypertension

Before starting training, you should discuss the exercises with your doctor. If you have not played sports before, you cannot start with an intense workout. Initial sessions should be 10-15 minutes per day. Exercises should be simple so that the heart gets used to the load.

Each subsequent week, increase the duration of your workout by 5 minutes. As a result, their duration should be 30 minutes or 1 hour. To lose weight, you need to exercise at least 3 times a week.

To effectively get rid of extra pounds, you should add physical activity to a healthy diet.

Where to begin:

Walking at a brisk pace. To get started, 10 minutes is enough.
Stretching for 5 minutes.
In the 3rd week, you can add an exercise bike or initial aerobics courses to the complex.
If your health worsens, the pace and load should be reduced.

Strength training effectively sheds pounds. These are pressure machines and free weights. But lifting heavy objects increases stress on the heart muscle and increases blood pressure. That's why:

Give preference to small weights.
The pace should be slow and medium.
Watch your breathing.

Recommended exercises:

squats;
dumbbell press;
push ups;
lunges.

Every workout should end with stretching to relieve tension. Isometric exercises are contraindicated. When they are performed, the load on the heart increases.

Gymnastics for hypertension should be as easy and simple as possible

What does the diet look like?

The diet, during the treatment of high blood pressure, will relieve the patient of excess weight, and will also help restore the tone of the blood vessels and the functioning of the kidneys. In addition, dietary nutrition can be a good prevention of hypertension.

What is the essence of such nutrition?

It is necessary to reduce the amount of salt, because it retains fluid in the body.
Eliminate animal fats from your diet because they increase blood cholesterol levels.
Add plant foods to your diet, because they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals.
Give up bad habits, do not drink alcohol or smoke, so as not to overload the heart.

These recommendations will help the patient lose extra pounds and reduce blood pressure by about ten millimeters. Thus, atherosclerotic plaques can be split, vascular tone is restored and pressure is normalized.

To lower blood pressure, your diet should be as follows:

The cardiovascular system is strengthened by consuming potassium and magnesium. They are found in cabbage, beets, carrots and other vegetables.
To prevent fluid from accumulating in the body in unnecessary quantities, it is better to drink three liters of water a day.
Avoid fried foods. All foods are best steamed, boiled or stewed.

In addition, add more fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, and dairy products to your daily diet. Fatty meats, sausages, confectionery and sugar should be avoided. In addition, pickles, marinades and preserves should not be consumed.

The Importance of Weight Loss

Obesity is accompanied by deterioration of heart function and the appearance of cholesterol deposits in blood vessels, which not only increases blood pressure, but can also cause a stroke.

Obesity does not have a direct effect on hypertension, but it affects the entire cardiovascular system in such a way that this problem cannot be avoided. Therefore, obese hypertensive patients should normalize their weight. This will improve heart function and lower blood pressure.

If this is not done, then the consequences may appear:

Ischemic disease. The pathology is characterized by the accumulation of a waxy substance in the vessels, which disrupts the process of transporting blood to the heart. This disorder causes chronic heart failure and increases the risk of heart attack.
Heart failure. An increase in blood volume and an increase in the load on the myocardium leads to hypertrophic changes in the left ventricle.
Heart disease. Due to poor nutrition and obesity, atherosclerosis develops. Women suffering from this problem in 36% of cases give birth to children with heart defects.
Varicose veins Due to excess weight, the venous system of the extremities suffers from enormous stress. An increase in blood pressure and an increase in the amount of blood leads to the fact that the vessels stretch and the veins become thinner. Mostly women suffer from this pathological process.

Problems in the functioning of the cardiovascular system are manifested by slow breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
If your blood pressure has increased due to obesity, then you need to lose weight. Otherwise, the numbers will increase as your weight increases, and stroke and other serious complications may occur.

Obesity prevention

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Preventing obesity involves eliminating factors that contribute to the accumulation of extra pounds.

. To ensure that a person never faces this problem, it is necessary to instill the basics of a healthy lifestyle from childhood.

To prevent obesity, it is important to eat a healthy diet with enough fruits and vegetables. In addition, it is necessary to limit the amount of easily digestible carbohydrates and avoid eating unhealthy foods - fatty foods, flour, fast food, etc.

However, proper nutrition alone is not enough to prevent obesity.

To ensure that your figure remains slim and your blood pressure levels do not leave normal limits, you need to pay due attention to physical activity and improving your psycho-emotional status.

Visiting the gym, morning jogging, walking and exercise will help keep the body in good shape and effectively burn calories, and eliminating stress and negative emotions will help get rid of biologically active substances that increase appetite and encourage food intake.

If the patient has concomitant diseases that are potentially dangerous in terms of weight gain (gastroenterocolitis, insufficient thyroid function, type 2 diabetes), you should consult a doctor to select the optimal treatment regimen.

Video on the topic

How does excess weight affect your health?

To get optimal results and not regain lost pounds in the near future, seek help from a doctor. A specialist will help you choose a suitable diet and physical activity that will not harm your body, but on the contrary, will be beneficial.