Beyond Weight Loss: Bariatric Surgery and Blood Pressure Control 

May is hypertension awareness month, as nearly half of American adults struggle with high blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and other severe complications. 

If you’re ready to reduce high blood pressure and lose weight naturally with bariatric surgery, see David Schumacher, MD, FACS, FASMBS, at Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy in Springboro, Ohio, to begin your weight-loss and health improvement journey.

Bariatric surgery 101

Bariatric surgery is also called weight loss surgery because it’s a procedure that decreases the size of your stomach or makes other GI modifications that help you feel full from fewer calories. 

Bariatric surgery can help you lose a significant amount of weight if diet and exercise alone haven’t been effective in achieving your goals. 

Types of bariatric surgery available at Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy include gastric sleeve, laparoscopic gastric band procedures, gastric bypass, duodenal switch procedures, single anastomosis duodenal switch, and apollo endoscopic overstitch.

Health benefits of bariatric surgery

In addition to losing weight, the health benefits associated with bariatric surgery include:

• Reduced blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Diminished risk of diabetes
• Less joint pain
• Better sleep
• Enhanced mood and self-confidence
• More energy
• Lower risk of a heart attack and stroke 

In recognition of hypertension awareness month, it’s helpful to learn more about ways to best manage your numbers to maximize health and well-being.

Common causes of high blood pressure

High blood pressure happens when the force of blood pressing against vessel walls is consistently higher than desired, and your heart must work harder to pump blood. 

High blood pressure can indicate your arteries are narrowed by plaque buildup, which increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack when left untreated. 

While there are genetic and age-related components associated with high blood pressure, some lifestyle factors significantly increase your risk. Examples include carrying excess weight, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, ongoing stress, lack of exercise, and poor dietary habits. 

Chronic diseases (diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea) also boost the chance of developing hypertension. 

How weight loss aids in blood pressure control

Carrying excess body weight can cause changes in blood vessels that increase pressure in your arteries, raising the risk of high blood pressure. In fact, obesity increases the chance of hypertension by up to 75%. 

Fortunately, losing just 10 pounds may lessen your blood pressure numbers and the risk of serious medical complications.

Other ways to reduce hypertension 

After bariatric surgery, it’s vital to adopt healthy blood pressure-lowering habits to continue reducing hypertension and maintain healthy numbers long term. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, stay active, limit sodium, minimize stress, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid smoking, limit or avoid alcohol, and effectively manage diabetes or other chronic diseases. 

Contact us today at Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy by calling our office or booking an appointment online to schedule a weight loss procedure or learn more about the benefits of bariatric surgery beyond weight loss.