People who are overweight are more likely to develop high blood pressure. Studies show that obese people are 2 – 3 times more likely to develop high blood pressure than normal weight people. The more overweight the higher the chance. You are overweight if your body mass index (BMI) is 25 or greater. You are obese if your BMI is 30 or greater. You can find out your BMI by using the online Adult BMI Calculator.

How does this happen?

Overweight people have extra fatty tissue. It needs oxygen and nutrients to live just like normal tissue. So, the heart and blood vessels have to send more blood throughout the body. This causes the heart to work harder to pump more blood through more vessels. More blood means more pressure on the walls of the arteries. Over time, high blood pressure can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels, brain, and kidneys.

Don’t wait to lose the weight!