Lap Band and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
During the past years, the number of significantly overweight patients has been increasing at an alarming rate. As a result, the rates of serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, have also increased significantly. Fortunately, recent studies have shown that the lap-band procedure and the resulting weight loss can reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular risks to normal levels.
What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition in which arterial blood pressure has increased, surpassing the normal blood pressure value of 120/80. Still, if it is between 120/80 and 139/89, it is called "pre-hypertension", and only when the blood pressure get to 140/90 or above is it considered hypertension.
Hypertension increases the risk of heart disease and shortens life expectancy. Medication is often needed on a long-term basis if hypertension cannot be brought under control by the necessary lifestyle changes.
High blood pressure is a risk factor for:
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
The Causes and Diagnosis of Hypertension
While the excess weight is strongly related to hypertension, there are other elements that may contribute to your increased blood pressure. These additional factors are:
- genetic predisposition
- renal insufficiency (also known as kidney failure)
- lack of physical exercise
- excessive salt intake
- excessive consumption of coffee or alcohol
- smoking
The reason for the strong relationship between hypertension and extra pounds partially comes from the fact that factors causing high blood pressure are similar to those leading to the weight gain. While the direct connection between excess fat tissue and hypertension remains unknown, the relationship is partially attributed to the endocrine imbalance caused by the way fat cells store and release the absorbed hormones. Interconnection of the factors that cause both obesity and hypertension leads to the conclusion that the excess weight remains a primary cause of an increased blood pressure.
Fortunately hypertension can be very easily diagnosed during your routine visit at the doctor’s office. If you are concerned that you may suffer from hypertension, ask your doctor to check your blood pressure. The symptoms that you may experience if you have an increased blood pressure are:
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vision disorders
If you have hypertension, you might also suffer from an enlarged heart, neurological damage and changes in the retina. The doctor will examine your eyes for small hemorrhages or eye nerve swelling that may be caused by prolonged increased blood pressure.
It is important that these symptoms are detected early, otherwise vital organs might be irreversibly affected. If your doctor discovers any worrisome changes, he will probably investigate them further by using appropriate tests and methods, such as an electrocardiogram, or X-rays. He may also order an echocardiography to see if the heart is enlarged and a blood and urine tests to detect kidney abnormalities.
Treating Hypertension
In the moderate stages, hypertension can be treated with dietary changes and exercise, but if it was not discovered early, a more aggressive treatment may be needed. In these cases, medication is usually prescribed.
Hypertension treatment can include:
- Diet for Hypertension Patients: Foods have to be carefully chosen, usually aiming for low sodium foods and fresh fruits and veggies.
- More exercise: Lack of exercise is a risk factor for hypertension.
- Medication: Anti-hypertensive medication is available, but you need to check with your doctor for contraindications if you have other medical conditions.
- Alternative medicine: It is used to temporarily decrease blood pressure, but a very structured and disciplined daily regimen should be set to achieve long-term results.
Lap-band surgery has also been proven to decrease blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risks. It is not necessary for you to lose a specific amount of weight, as with every pound lost you will feel the difference in your entire body.
Lap Band Surgery for Hypertension Patients
Lap-band surgery, often performed on an outpatient basis, is available for obese patients in Chicago who have hypertension and want to have a better quality of life. Contact DayOne Health to see if you meet the criteria as a lap-band candidate, and we will support you in your journey to improve your blood pressure and overall health. See You at DayOne Health in Chicago!
If you want to find out more information about us at DayOne Health in or about our lap-band specialists in Chicago, please call (312) 239-3838 or request an appointment online.
