This highlights a disease that is largely preventable by simple weight loss. It is well known that most hypertensives, people with high blood pressure, would have the problem completely cured if they got down to their ideal weight, a BMI in the low 20s in general. Unfortunately, the presence of high blood pressure drugs provides an alternative that is often seen as less onerous than losing weight - which involves the discomfort of being hungry and eating less. And with the easy way out of drugs, there is less and less emphasis by the health system on the importance of weight loss to “cure” the problem in many cases. This report however shows that some people with high blood pressure seemingly under control with drugs, will now face the challenge of an often deadly cancer. While some people have high blood pressure even at their ideal weight, many or most are normotensive at their ideal weight. This study again shows the perils of relying on drugs for a disease that is best treated by lifestyle alteration.
