BMI, or body mass index, is a numerical value that is calculated by plugging your height and weight into an equation. It can be an indication of being overweight and obese, which can present an increased risk for a variety of health issues, including hypertension, or high blood pressure. The BMI is a precautionary tool that is used to signify whether more accurate health screening needs to be completed.
Body Mass Index
Body mass index is a value that is calculated by analyzing the relationship between your height and weight. It's used as a body fat test to screen whether you're at risk for health issues related to being overweight or obese. To calculate your BMI, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared, then multiply that value by 703.
Body Mass Index Chart
Once you calculate your BMI score, you can compare that value with the BMI chart, which will tell you whether your score places you in the underweight, normal, overweight or obese categories. Scores under 18.5 are considered underweight. Scores of 18.5 to 24.9 are considered normal. Scores of 25.0 to 29.9 fall into the overweight category and any score 30.0 and above is considered obese.
Hypertension
Hypertension is the scientific term for high blood pressure. You're considered to have hypertension when you have a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or greater, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or greater. Hypertension typically causes no symptoms and can go unnoticed until it causes a serious health problem. Hypertension increases your risk of heart disease, heart failure and stroke.
BMI and Hypertension
Hypertension can be caused by a variety of things, but it's commonly a result of BMI which is too high. BMI scores that are greater than 27 are closely correlated with hypertension. Losing as little as 10 lbs. has been shown to typically decrease blood pressure.
Considerations
The limitation of using BMI as a screening technique is that it fails to recognize your body fat percentage in your score. You can have a low body fat percentage and yet a high body weight because you have a large amount of muscle fibers. You would have a BMI score indicating that you're overweight or obese, when in fact you have a healthy body fat percentage. If you have a high body mass index score and do not possess significant muscle mass, visit your doctor to have your blood pressure tested.
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