Fats and High Blood Pressure

Fats and High Blood Pressure: A Summary

People often wonder if fats in the diet affect blood pressure. The answer is no. Fats in a person's diet do not directly affect blood pressure.

 

Fats and High Blood Pressure: What Is the Effect?

Saturated fats and cholesterol in foods raise blood cholesterol, which increases the risk for heart disease. Also, foods high in fats are high in calories, which increase the chances that a person will become overweight. And being overweight increases your risk of developing high blood pressure (and diabetes). In fact, blood pressure rises as body weight increases. Losing even 10 pounds can lower blood pressure -- and it has the greatest effect for those who are overweight and already have hypertension.