Abdominal fat predicts hypertension

Greater amounts of fat in the abdomen point to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a recent study. Several studies have associated central obesity with hypertension but no forward-looking studies have investigated whether abdominal fat as measured by CT scans predicts who is likely to become hypertensive.Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle examined the relationship between directly measured 'visceral adiposity' and the risk of developing hypertension in 300 Japanese Americans between 34 and 76 years of age. Higher amounts of fat in the abdominal area, greater body mass index (BMI), and larger waist circumference were all associated with a higher incidence of hypertension, it was found. After taking various factors into account, only the extent of fat in the abdomen remained a predictor of hypertension independent of age, sex, smoking status, and other recognized risk factors for high blood pressure.
The researchers concluded that the role abdominal fat plays in the development of high blood pressure needs further investigation.