Hypertension

Most hypertensive patients require multiple antihypertensive drugs to control their blood pressure (BP). This may explain the increase in BP control rates between 1999 and 2004, according to a study evaluating the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among US adults. The awareness and control rates of hypertension were better in older people and people with a higher BMI than in hypertensive people of a younger age and lower BMI. This may be because of greater concerns about health status among older and obese people.²⁵

After laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgery was performed on severely obese, diabetic patients, 1 published study reported that hypertension was resolved in 59.8% and 74% of the 413 participants, of whom 189 had hypertension at 1 and 2 years, respectively. In another published study on severely obese patients, hypertension improved by 48% at 36 months after LAGB surgery (n=163 with greater than or equal to 18 months follow-up).^18,21

Relevant Links:
Physician Resources—Hypertension
Standards of Care—Hypertension