Recently, much of our news media splashed headlines stating that overweight people might not be at such risk of high blood pressure and heart disease as was previously thought.
Yes, it seems that a recent study by researchers of obesity has reported that the stereotype that we’ve all come to accept is simply not accurate.
Surprisingly, and contrary to everything we’ve thought and believed for years, this study indicates that about half of all overweight people have normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
It now seems that this half of all obese people can actually be considered to be otherwise healthy.
This national study has also cast a shadow over the overall health of the thinner portion of the population by reporting that an amazing one-half of thinner and visually “fit” people are at risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.
Fifty one percent of the obese people had rather normal blood pressure, blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol levels while over a quarter of their thinner counterparts, (those falling within the recommended height and weight range) were reported to have elevated levels of at least two of these factors.
Those included in the study that were considered to be of healthy weight were found to have elevated blood pressure when their waist measurement was larger, indicating internal fat deposits surrounding abdominal organs to be responsible for greatly increased risk.
While there have always been exceptions in either category, this is the first time that a national health study has reported literally millions of exceptions to what has long been considered the “norm” of society.
With a growing debate over a standardized method of calculating what is “overweight”, many in the medical research industry are now pointing to waist size as being a more critical factor that mere weight in controlling these factors including blood pressure.
Now, while this is great news to so many people, it is also startling wake up call for those that have felt comfort simply based on the fact that they had thinness on their side. Regardless of height or weight, everyone should monitor blood pressure often as a precaution and preventative measure.
Several tips are offered and should be observed to help you in attaining the most accurate blood pressure reading. They include but are not limited to the following:
•Stay away from caffeine and nicotine for at least half an hour prior to a blood pressure test is to be taken.
•Wear short sleeves so that the upper arm can be exposed with little or no effort.
•Sit quietly with your back supported, both feet flat on the floor, and arms resting on a table at heart level for at least five minutes prior to the test.
•Always have your blood pressure tested when your bladder is empty. A full and uncomfortable bladder can easily skew a blood pressure reading.
•Ask for two readings, two minutes apart so that you may get an average.
Regardless of age, height, weight, or waist size, one thing remains constant, prevention of high blood pressure can only be realized with proper and frequent monitoring.
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