Lower risk of high blood pressure
- Published in
- Ann Intern Med 2001
- People studied
- 1,191
In a trial of 1,191 adults, a weight-loss programme lowered the risk of high blood pressure by 19% over 3 years.
- Checked against
- PubMed 11187414
- Published in
- Ann Intern Med 2001
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
In the TOHP II trial, 1,191 adults aged 30 to 54 with overweight took part. Their blood pressure was just below the high range. They were randomly assigned to a 3-year weight-loss programme or to usual care. The programme group lost about 4.4 kg by 6 months and regained most of it by 3 years. Even so, their risk of developing high blood pressure was still 19% lower at 3 years. Those who lost at least 4.5 kg and kept it off had a 65% lower risk.
At a glance
- Type of study
- randomised trial
- People studied
- 1,191
- How long
- 3 years
- Compared with
- usual care
- Main result
- 19% lower risk of high blood pressure after 3 years.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
Most of the lost weight came back by 3 years, and the benefit shrank over time. Participants did not yet have high blood pressure, so this is about prevention.
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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- No fewer heart attacks or strokes in one large trialRandomised trials · Look AHEAD Research Group, N Engl J Med 2013
- Lasting heart risk gains, even with regainRandomised trials · Hartmann-Boyce et al., Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2023
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