How much weight do you need to lose to reduce blood pressure?

Author: Mr. Jean Cruickshank IV  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

If you're overweight or have obesity, losing even a small amount of weight can help lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, blood pressure might go down by about 1 mm Hg with each kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of weight lost.

How much will a 10 lb weight loss lower blood pressure?

This means that after you lose your first 10 pounds, your blood pressure could drop by 10 points. This is a significant decrease, especially for overweight or obese patients, because carrying too many pounds can increase the risk of developing heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

Will losing 20 pounds lower your blood pressure?

For every 20 pounds you lose, you can drop systolic pressure 5-20 points. People who are considered prehypertensive can benefit significantly by dropping 20 pounds. Follow the guidelines of the National Institutes of Health's DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.

How much weight do you have to lose to see a drop in blood pressure?

If you're overweight, losing even just 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) can lower your blood pressure. The more weight lost, the more blood pressure can drop. As you lose weight, it may be possible to reduce your dose of blood pressure medicine. Or you might be able to stop taking blood pressure medicine completely.

How long does it take to lower blood pressure with weight loss?

There is a general agreement that weight reduction is recommended for overweight and obese hypertensive patients, 5 a meta‐analysis suggested that after 6–12 months, weight loss reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared to placebo by mean difference (MD) −2.6 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI) −3.8 to −1.4 mmHg; ...

How Much Weight Do You Have to Lose to Lower Your Blood Pressure? A Doctor Explains

Can you reverse high blood pressure by losing weight?

If you're overweight or have obesity, losing even a small amount of weight can help lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, blood pressure might go down by about 1 mm Hg with each kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of weight lost.

Can losing 10 pounds lower cholesterol?

Losing as little as 10 pounds can be enough to improve your cholesterol levels. In one study, people who lost at least 5% of their weight significantly reduced their levels of LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

What should I do if my BP is 140-90?

If you have a BP of 140/90, that is considered high blood pressure and you should discuss this with your doctor. The first thing that is usually recommended for people with high blood pressure to do is lifestyle changes such as: Maintaining a healthy weight. Consuming a healthy balanced diet low in salt.

What does losing 20 pounds do to your body?

Reduce Your Health Risks

Losing the extra weight can help eliminate those health problems or lower your odds for them. Weight loss can reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also slash risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and osteoarthritis.

What is the fastest thing to lower blood pressure?

The fastest ways to safely lower blood pressure include:
  • Practicing breathing exercises that slow your heart rate and promote relaxation.
  • Lying down and resting for 10 minutes.
  • Eating a healthy diet.
  • Losing weight (if needed)
  • Doing regular exercise.
  • Limiting alcohol.
  • Stopping smoking.
  • Taking your medication as directed.

What is the number one fruit to lower blood pressure?

Blueberries for Blood Pressure Management

Although most fruits have some benefits that may help lower your blood pressure, these berries come out on top because they are a great source of fiber and are loaded with antioxidants. Need some convincing to eat more blueberries?

What is the surprisingly simple exercise that can lower your blood pressure?

A British Journal of Sports Medicine study suggests that two isometric exercises, planks and wall squats, may be highly effective in lowering blood pressure.

What are the two worst blood pressure medications?

4 worst blood pressure drugs
  • Beta-Blockers: Limited Efficacy and High Adverse Effects. Efficacy Concerns. ...
  • High-Dose Thiazides: Increased Adverse Effects Without Mortality Benefit. Efficacy Concerns. ...
  • Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Blood Pressure Elevation. ...
  • Antidepressants: Variable Impact on Blood Pressure.

Does drinking water lower blood pressure?

Drinking water can help normalize blood pressure. If you are dehydrated, it can also help lower blood pressure. Drinking water is not a treatment for high blood pressure but it can help you sustain healthier blood pressure, whether you have hypertension or not.

Can losing 30 lbs lower blood pressure?

Being overweight strains your heart, which can lead to a host of health problems, including heart disease. You don't need to take off 50 pounds to see an improvement. Losing as little as 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure and begin to ease the strain.

Which body part loses fat first?

Mostly, losing weight is an internal process. You will first lose hard fat that surrounds your organs like liver, kidneys and then you will start to lose soft fat like waistline and thigh fat. The fat loss from around the organs makes you leaner and stronger.

Is it noticeable when someone loses 20 pounds?

Is 20 pounds (lbs) of weight loss noticeable? Yes, 20 pounds (lbs) of weight loss is typically noticeable. However, this may vary depending on an individual's current weight, body composition, and distribution of weight.

Will my blood pressure go down if I lose 40 pounds?

While dieting and exercise lower blood pressure, just losing weight can bring it down, too. For every 20 pounds you lose, you can expect your systolic (top number) blood pressure to drop to 20 points.

Can a BP of 140 90 cause stroke?

Risk factors for stroke that can be changed, treated, or medically managed: High blood pressure. Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher can damage blood vessels (arteries) that supply blood to the brain.

What is the number one food that causes high blood pressure?

11 Foods that Increase Blood Pressure
  1. Table Salt. If you are trying to follow a low-sodium diet, this seems like an obvious one, but it needs to be said. ...
  2. Certain Condiments and Sauces. ...
  3. Foods with Saturated and Trans Fat. ...
  4. Fried Food. ...
  5. Fast Food. ...
  6. Canned, Frozen, and Processed Foods. ...
  7. Deli Meats and Cured Meats. ...
  8. Salted Snacks.

Does caffeine raise blood pressure?

Caffeine may cause a brief rise in your blood pressure, even if you don't have high blood pressure. This short-term spike in blood pressure happens mainly in people who don't drink caffeine often, rather than in those who do. Still, the blood pressure response to caffeine differs from person to person.

What are the signs in your face of high cholesterol?

High Cholesterol on Face: How Does it Present?
  • Xanthelasmas: Xanthomas are the buildup of cholesterol deposits under the skin. They appear either as small bumps, or nodules. ...
  • Corneal Arcus: Another major sign of high cholesterol on face is corneal arcus. This is a grayish-white ring surrounding the eye.

Are eggs bad for cholesterol?

One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice. If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites.

Will losing weight lower A1C?

Lose some weight

Even small amounts of weight loss can have a benefit. “The ADA states that moderate rate reduction of 5% to 10% of your body weight can significantly lower your A1C level,” says Seymour. “So, for instance, for a person weighing 200 pounds, a weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds could make a difference.”

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