Excess weight or weight gain -- no matter how slight -- still carries the risk of eventual high blood pressure, researchers say.
Writing in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Harvard University School of Medicine scientists say the other side of the coin -- losing weight -- cuts such risk.
Study authors say that "long-term weight loss after 18 years of age was related to a significantly lower risk for hypertension, and weight gain dramatically increased the risk for hypertension," in a continuing survey of more than 82,400 female nurses that began 22 years ago.
Keeping individual weight proportionate to height -- and shedding pounds when required -- "seems to be beneficial in the primary prevention of hypertension," the researchers say.
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