title: Hypertension in obese patients.
abstract: Obesity and hypertension often coexist. The waist-hip ratio has been found to be a more accurate predictor of hypertension than either body weight or body mass index. A waist-hip ratio of 0.85 or more in men and 0.75 or more in women is a significant cardiovascular risk factor. Insulin also probably has an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in obese patients. Treatment of hypertension in overweight patients begins with weight loss, which is frequently achieved by combining caloric restriction and exercise. Such commonly used drugs as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium blockers, alpha blockers, and beta blockers are appropriate for medical treatment of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI 53295.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kochar
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D002149:Energy Intake; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin