Improved blood values in overweight individuals

Adults with obesity now exhibit significantly better blood pressure and cholesterol levels than they did 30 years ago, according to a recent study published in The Lancet. The improvement is largely credited to the widespread availability and effectiveness of medications such as statins and treatments for high blood pressure.

The study, which analyzed data from nearly one million individuals aged 40 to 79 across England, the USA, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Finland between 1990 and 2024, revealed a marked reduction or complete disappearance of differences in blood pressure and harmful cholesterol levels between normal-weight individuals and those with high body mass index (BMI).

Historically, individuals with a high BMI were more prone to hypertension and elevated blood lipids, both of which increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke. However, the research indicates that for adults under 40, the gap in blood pressure and cholesterol levels between those with obesity and normal-weight individuals has shown little to no decrease. Researchers noted that the use of cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-lowering medications is notably low in this younger age group.

While the findings offer positive news regarding cardiovascular risk factors, the study's authors emphasize that obesity and significant overweight continue to present a range of other serious health risks. High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and dementia, while high levels of LDL cholesterol contribute to atherosclerosis, a condition where artery walls harden and narrow, potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes.