High Blood Pressure May be Due to Excess Weight

Being overweight could be the cause of high blood pressure in half of all adults who are overweight.  This was reported at the American Heart Association’s 61st Annual Fall Conference of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research.

Researchers in Italy found that about 50 percent of overweight, hypertensive adults, ranging in age from 29 to 65 years, achieved normal body weight and blood pressure after six months of treatment with a reduced-calorie diet.

About one in three American adults have high blood pressure.  High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the number 1 and number 3 causes of death in the United States.

According to Sherry Collins, M.S., R.D., L.D., Outpatient Clinical Dietitian at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, “Weight reduction has a positive impact on other areas of health including blood glucose management, hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, LDL levels, and triglycerides.  We have done our own analysis of health outcomes for those patients seen through the Outpatient Nutrition Services over the previous four years.  We noted that as little as 10 pound weight loss produced positive results in lowering blood pressure, lipid levels, and blood glucose for those people and should offer encouragement to those who struggle with their weight.”

Golden Valley Memorial Hospital offers Medical Nutrition Services for weight loss.  A physician referral is required and your physician’s office can schedule your appointment.  The initial visit usually involves a least one hour during which a medical and diet history will be obtained and your nutritional requirements and needs will be determined.  A meal plan will be developed as well as instruction on implementation of your plan.  Follow-up sessions are approximately 30 minutes and are scheduled as needed. 

For more information about Medical Nutrition Services and how they can help you with your weight loss, contact Medical Nutrition Services at 660-890-7095 or 660-890-7096.