Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It is often called the "silent killer;" while it shows no symptoms, it can lead to heart attacks, kidney damage, and other serious health problems.
Fat people are more likely than average size people to be told by their doctors that their blood pressure is too high. If you are told by your doctor that you have hypertension, the first thing you need to do is find out if your blood pressure really is high.
A very important factor overlooked by doctors is the size of the blood pressure cuff used. The cuff should be snug, but not tight. A cuff that is too small can produce a very high blood pressure reading when the actual blood pressure is normal or even below normal.
Standard-sized cuffs cannot be used with an upper arm circumference of over 16 inches. Larger cuffs, designed for use on the leg of an average size person, should be readily available and can be used on the larger arm. If a large cuff isn't available, or if the arm is too large for a thigh cuff, blood pressure can be measured by placing the cuff over the forearm, rather than the upper arm, and listening to the pulse at the wrist. Another option is to purchase a large size cuff and bring it to the doctor's office.
Another factor that can lead to false high blood pressure readings is "white coat syndrome." The treatment of hypertension is based on the accurate measure of blood pressure in a resulting, relaxed state. A visit to the doctor is typically stressful for a fat person, particularly if a stern lecture on dieting is anticipated. If the fat patient is experiencing fear, anger, or anxiety as her/his blood pressure is being taken, the reading cannot serve as a guide for treatment.
A third factor that can lead to the false diagnosis of hypertension is medications. A number of drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, can have the side effect of elevating blood pressure. For example, all diet pills can cause hypertension. In addition, most cold remedies, decongestants, and allergy pills can raise blood pressure.
In summary, if you have been diagnosed as having hypertension, you should ensure that your blood pressure reading is not artificially high due to incorrect cuff size, "white coat syndrome," or side effects from prescription or over-the-counter medication. If you are, in fact, hypertensive, be assured that there are a number of steps that can be taken to lower your blood pressure.
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