Can Weight Loss Cause Low Blood Pressure?
The answer is yes, and it is especially beneficial for overweight patients. Excess weight contributes to the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart failure, and it increases pressure on the body’s weight-bearing joints.
For example, every extra pound places four pounds of pressure on your knees. Losing 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure by 10 points.
Moreover, losing weight can lead to a healthier lifestyle by making you feel physically fit.
Dietary sources of vitamin B12 and folate
People who lack dietary sources of vitamin B12 and folate may suffer from low blood pressure.
Low vitamin B12 intake can contribute to the development of neural tube defects in the unborn child.
A woman with low folate levels during pregnancy should take folic acid supplements every day.
Women should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, preferably before conception and up until twelve weeks gestation.
Drugs that cause low blood pressure
Some medications cause lower blood pressure after weight loss. One of these medications is phentermine/topiramate, which is combined with a potassium-sparing agent.
Other drugs that reduce blood pressure are spironolactone, triamterene, and hydrochlorothiazide.
While all of these medications are known to lower blood pressure, there are some risks.
Genetics
The genetics of blood pressure has long been recognized as a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases.
Although its contribution to BP is relatively small, genetic research is contributing to preventive medicine for many years to come.
A recent study by Evangelou and colleagues identified 535 new loci associated with blood pressure, diabetes, and weight loss.
This study is important for two reasons. First, it may reveal a new genetic cause for a common disease.
Being physically fit
People with high blood pressure should focus on losing weight, but that shouldn’t be the only goal.
In fact, studies have shown that overweight adults aren’t any more likely to suffer from stroke or heart disease than fit, obese adults.
Losing weight is not the only key to lowering blood pressure; exercise is essential to the overall health of your body.
If you’re interested in losing weight, learn how to exercise effectively for both health benefits.
Being overweight
Being overweight can have negative consequences on your blood pressure.
This is because overweight people need more blood than normal to carry oxygen and nutrients to their organs and tissues.
Excess weight increases the pressure on the walls of the arteries, making them less flexible. Also, people
with high body weight are more likely to be inactive, which leads to high heart rates.
Lack of exercise is another risk factor for being overweight. Here are some ways to prevent being overweight.
Medication side effects
There are many medications for blood pressure. Most do not cause weight loss. Some can cause weight gain, though.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects two-thirds of the US population.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out of ten people will have high blood pressure by the time they are 65.
And if you have high blood pressure now, it’s more likely than ever to develop it later.
Pregnancy-related low blood pressure
If you’re pregnant, you may have experienced pregnancy-related low blood pressure.
While this is completely normal and not a cause for concern, it’s important to keep your blood pressure under control.
To avoid pregnancy-related low blood pressure, consider a healthier diet and taking prenatal supplements.
Blood pressure will return to normal after delivery.
Pregnancy-related low blood pressure can be difficult to detect, but it is possible to monitor it yourself at home.