Research has shown that it takes about 10 years to develop high blood pressure once you become overweight. Because of this delay, people may notice that they've put on a few extra pounds, but not realize that they have started a cycle that can lead to serious health concerns a few years down the road.
A group of four studies, called the NHANES studies, have shown that there is a definate link between being overweight and developing high blood pressure. This is particularly important because
- Obesity is one of the strongest predictive risk factors for developing high blood pressure
- This link is especially strong in younger people
- The number of people who are significantly overweight is steadily increasing
Because of various factors, there are two realities of simultaneously being overweight and having high blood pressure
- It is harder to lose weight once high blood pressure has developed
- Being overweight makes high blood pressure more difficult to treat
This two sided situation means that getting control over a potential weight issue now, rather than later, means a better outcome than trying to tackle the problem later.
Continue Reading: Gain Control, Not Weight
