Relationship between Obesity-Related Hypertension: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The main cause of obesity is an imbalance in consumption and caloric intake. Obesity is described as an excessive and abnormal accumulation of more than 20 percent of body fat in an individual's average body weight. The average body weight refers to an “individual's maximum healthy weight,” which is determined primarily by their height, age, and muscular growth. Obesity, however, is diagnosed by calculating the BMI which is a measure of individual’s body weight and height.  Additionally, according to the National Institutes of Health, a person with a maximum limit of BMI of 30 kg/m2 is declared obese. Moreover, despite World Health Organization concerns, the prevalence of obesity is increasing among children and adults worldwide. Excessive overweight continues to the most underestimated public health problems on a global scale, including the fact that obesity is linked with an increased risk of sickness, disability, and death.  Cardiovascular disorders, especially diabetes and hypertension have become a leading cause of death globally and these are the primary illnesses linked with obesity. However, the mechanisms behind obesity-related hypertension and other metabolic disorders remain little understood. In this present review, we discussed the correlation between cardiovascular disease and obesity, focusing on the biological processes underlying the relationship between hypertension and obesity.