Lower blood pressure
- Published in
- Hypertension 2003
- People studied
- 4,874
Blood pressure about 1 mmHg lower on average for each kilogram lost, across 25 trials.
- Checked against
- PubMed 12975389
- Published in
- Hypertension 2003
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
This pooled analysis of 25 randomised trials with 4,874 people looked at weight loss through eating less, moving more, or both. An average loss of about 5 kg went with systolic blood pressure (the top number of a reading) about 4.4 mmHg lower, which is about 1 mmHg for each kilogram lost. Groups that lost more than 5 kg on average saw larger drops.
At a glance
- Type of study
- pooled analysis of randomised trials (meta-analysis)
- People studied
- 4,874
- Compared with
- control groups in the trials
- Main result
- About 1 mmHg lower blood pressure for each kilogram lost.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
These are averages across trials of different lengths and groups, so any one person's change can differ. The abstract does not say how long the lower blood pressure lasted.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
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