[Therapy of obesity-associated hypertension]

There is a 50 % prevalence of obesity with arterial hypertension. This ratio can increase up to 80 %, depending on body mass index. Important pathogenetic origins are quantity of visceral body fat along with the activation of neuroendocrineum (sympathicus, renin-angiotensin system), an induction of insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia, and a direct compression of the medulla by fat deposits in the kidneys, which results in hemodynamic changes and an increase in blood pressure. The primary aim is a reduction in weight by means of a balanced diet and life style modification, which can be augmented by weight reducing medication. Orlistat lowers blood pressure and body weight simultaneously, whereas sibutramine accomplishes this only under certain circumstances. Interestingly, blood pressure increases again over the course of 10 years following weight reducing surgical procedures, despite ongoing weight loss. Antihypertensive differential therapy should be focused on pathophysiology and concomitant and target organ disease. Thus ACE inhibitors (alternatively angiotensin receptor blockers), in combination with low dose diuretics, should be preferentially administered, followed by calcium antagonists. Beta blockers should be used if definite cardiac indications are present.