May is Hypertension Awareness Month — a time for the Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions team to shine a light on high blood pressure, a condition that affects nearly half of adults in the United States.
If you’re living with obesity and hypertension, you’re not alone — and more importantly, you have options that can drastically improve both conditions. Namely, bariatric surgery.
Below, board-certified general surgeon Dr. Mikhail A. Botvinov takes a closer look at weight loss and hypertension control and where bariatric surgery fits into the picture.
Obesity and hypertension are closely linked because excess body weight puts added strain on your heart and blood vessels. Fat tissue, especially around your abdomen, increases resistance in your arteries, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood, all leading to higher blood pressure.
Obesity also contributes to insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances, further elevating blood pressure. As a result, people with obesity are significantly more likely to develop hypertension.
Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that hypertension is the cause of 685,875 deaths each year. High blood pressure can also contribute to heart disease, heart attacks, and sleep apnea.
The good news is that losing weight can help you lower your blood pressure and reduce the risks associated with high blood pressure. Systolic pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading and measures the force your heart exerts on artery walls when it beats — it’s a key indicator of heart health and cardiovascular risk. For every 20 pounds you lose, you can drop systolic pressure by 5-20 points.
To sum it up, being overweight increases your risk of having high blood pressure, and losing weight can help reduce your blood pressure levels.
Bariatric surgery is well known for helping people achieve significant weight loss, but recent research shows its benefits go even further, especially when it comes to controlling high blood pressure.
A 2024 study published by MDedge Endocrinology compared the effectiveness of bariatric surgery to GLP-1 receptor agonists and RAAS inhibitors (common blood pressure medications) for reducing mortality risks in adults with both obesity and hypertension.
The result? Bariatric surgery came out ahead.
According to the study:
In another study published in Diabetes and Endocrinology, researchers found that bariatric surgery was associated with a 62% reduction in mortality compared to GLP-1RAs.
Excess body weight puts increased pressure on your arteries and heart. Bariatric surgery helps by:
These systemic improvements help you lose weight, reduce your dependence on multiple medications, and significantly improve your quality of life.
If you’ve tried lifestyle changes and medications but still struggle to manage your weight or blood pressure, bariatric surgery may be a powerful next step.
The procedure is especially effective for people with a BMI of 40. You might also benefit from surgery if your BMI is 35 or higher and accompanied by chronic conditions like hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea.
This month, take a moment to assess your heart health. If high blood pressure is part of your life and you’re also living with obesity, bariatric surgery might offer the reset your body needs.
You’re not alone on this journey. Dr. Botvinov conducts a comprehensive consultation to discuss your weight loss goals, review your BMI, take your full health history, and determine if bariatric surgery is the right option for you.
He’ll walk you through the available procedures, explain the risks and benefits, and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan.
To get started, call our Westwood, New Jersey, office at 201-778-5344. You can also schedule an appointment online.
