Predictors of Hypertension Remission and Recurrence After Bariatric Surgery

Few data exist on factors associated with hypertension (HTN) remission post-bariatric surgery. No information on factors that may predict HTN relapse is available. The aims were to assess the HTN remission and relapse rates at 1 and 3 years, respectively, post-bariatric surgery, and determine predictive factors.

A nonrandomized prospective cohort study on severely obese patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) with a follow-up of 36 months was conducted between 2005 and 2011. Criteria for HTN diagnosis were current treatment with antihypertensive agents and/or systolic blood pressure (BP) >140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP >90 mm Hg. HTN remission was defined as normalization of BP maintained after discontinuation of medical treatment.

A total of 197 patients were included in the study. HTN was present in 47.7%; 68.1% of hypertensive patients showed HTN remission 1 year after the surgical procedure, 21.9% of whom had relapsed at 3 years. The number of antihypertensive drugs prior to surgery was associated with a lower remission rate at the first year and a higher recurrence at 3 years. However, a smaller weight loss during the first year was associated with increased HTN recurrence at 3 years.

HTN relapses in 1 of 5 hypertensives who have achieved remission at the first year of follow-up. Weight loss during the first postoperative year should be encouraged to avoid HTN relapse at 3 years.