Hypertension and obesity.

Obesity is a major risk factor for hypertension that itself is a direct cause of premature cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. When hypertension is mild, weight reduction normalizes it often enough to warrant weight loss instructions for all obese hypertensives. Reasons for the obesity and hypertension relationship are as yet unclear. Although current interest focuses on hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, hemodynamic data suggest that the fault lies in an inability to reduce vascular resistance as blood volume and cardiac output rise.