High Blood Pressure

Frequently Asked Questions

14. How do I know if I need to lose weight to prevent or control my blood pressure?

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat, based on your height and weight. It applies to both men and women, but it does have some limits:

• It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
• It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.

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