Move for Good Heart Health

Obesity in Women—a leading cause of Hypertension. By Dr. Prachi Sharma

- Dr. Prachi Sharma

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 42% of women in the United States are obese. Among them, the risk of developing hypertension is significantly higher. A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reported that women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 had a two to three times higher risk of developing hypertension compared to women with a normal BMI.

The reasons behind this link are both biological and behavioural. Obesity leads to increased insulin resistance, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and chronic low-grade inflammation, all of which contribute to higher blood pressure. In women, visceral fat—fat stored around internal organs—plays a particularly potent role, as it disrupts hormone regulation and blood vessel function more severely than fat stored elsewhere.