Sex differences in the association between obesity and hypertension

Abstract

Background Hypertension and obesity often coexist. There are sex differences in the mechanisms of obesity-related hypertension but the reasons for these differences are still not fully understood. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in the development of hypertension associated with obesity. Methods A total of 866 men and 1022 women were selected for the study. Anthropometric measurements, including arterial pressure measurements, were performed. The plasma lipid levels were measured using an enzymatic method with commercially available kits. Results In both overweight and obesity, hypertensive women had more atherogenic lipid profiles and higher values of lipid accumulation product (LAP) than normotensive women. In overweight and obese men, no significant differences in lipid levels or LAP were noted between the normotensive and hypertensive groups. Conclusion The pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension in women differs from that in men and tends to be associated with metabolic disorders.