Can Small Weight Gain Impact Blood Pressure?

Recent research has shown that even small weight gains, between 5-11 pounds of abdominal weight, has shown to increase an individual’s blood pressure. The fat inside the abdomen, also called abdominal visceral fat has been specifically linked to an increase in blood pressure. The research did not find a significant elevation of cholesterol, insulin or blood sugar levels among the participants. Many adults find that their weight fluctuates, especially around holiday seasons. Even though 5 pounds can be a modest weight increase, changes still occur in your body, including the increase in work of your blood vessels to carry oxygen to your body, causing an increase in blood pressure.