Weight Loss Surgery & Blood Pressure: Long-Term Control
- For individuals struggling with obesity and uncontrolled high blood pressure, bariatric surgery may offer a more effective solution than medication alone.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 41.9% of U.S.
- The GATEWAY trial, involving 100 participants (76% female) with an average body mass index (BMI) of 36.9 kg/m2, compared Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with medical therapy.
Bariatric surgery could be the key to managing high blood pressure,especially for those struggling with obesity. A recent study reveals that surgical intervention demonstrates superior long-term control of hypertension compared to medication alone,transforming lives.The research shows that patients who underwent surgery experienced meaningful BMI reduction and a dramatic decrease in the need for medications after five years.With U.S. obesity and hypertension rates alarmingly high, News Directory 3 emphasizes the importance of exploring effective solutions. Uncover how this surgical approach addresses the root causes of cardiovascular risk, offering a beacon of hope to millions. Discover what’s next regarding ideal candidates, surgical timing, and future research directions.
Bariatric surgery Shows Promise in Treating hypertension
Updated June 16, 2025
For individuals struggling with obesity and uncontrolled high blood pressure, bariatric surgery may offer a more effective solution than medication alone. A new study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that surgical intervention leads to better long-term control of hypertension rates.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 41.9% of U.S. adults are obese and 45.4% have hypertension. Obesity significantly elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, increasing susceptibility to heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
The GATEWAY trial, involving 100 participants (76% female) with an average body mass index (BMI) of 36.9 kg/m2, compared Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with medical therapy. All participants had hypertension and were taking at least two medications. The study excluded those with prior cardiovascular events or poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes.
After five years, the bariatric surgery group saw their BMI drop to 28.01 kg/m2, while the medication-only group’s BMI was 36.40 kg/m2. The surgery group also experienced an 80.7% reduction in medication use, compared to a 13.7% reduction in the medication-only group.Moreover, 46.9% of surgery patients achieved hypertension remission (controlled blood pressure without medication), versus only 2.4% in the medication group.
Carlos Aurelio Schiavon, MD, FACS, the study’s lead author and a bariatric surgeon in Sao Paulo, said the findings highlight the importance of addressing obesity to reduce hypertension rates.
Michael Hall, MD, MSc, of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, noted the study’s valuable long-term data on gastric bypass benefits but emphasized the need for further research to determine optimal treatment pathways for obesity and related cardiometabolic diseases.
What’s next
Future research should focus on identifying the ideal candidates for bariatric surgery, determining the best timing for the procedure, exploring different types of bariatric surgery, and comparing surgical outcomes with those of new obesity medications.