Obesity and Hypertension

Obesity is a worldwide pandemic contributing to the hypertensive state and to the cardiovascular morbidity leading to an increase in hospitalizations, events and cost to the healthcare system. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been shown to be present both in obesity and obesity-induced hypertension. The increase in adrenergic tone and impairment in reflex mechanisms, renal hyperfiltration, activation of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, endothelial dysfunction and increase in oxidative stress have been clearly demonstrated. Also has been shown the involvement of adipokines and cytokines which have an important role in activating and sustaining the pathophysiologic processes associated with obesity. This is also the case for the involvement of the inflammatory and immune-system. The last part of this chapter regards the different approaches to obesity and obesity-induced hypertension, both pharmacological and surgical, without to forget that the first approach should be a good diet and change in life-style habits.