How much weight to lose, or how many months of excersizing until it has an effect on high blood pressure or cholesterol?

My question mainly goes to those who were overweight and had high blood pressure/cholesterol or both that lowered them without meds (diet and excersize). I was 350 lbs and now I'm down to 296. I had slightly high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am 24 and I'm 6'7''. I was working out for 6 months or so and eating well, and my doc had me on cholesterol meds but not high blood pressure meds as long as I kept losing weight after each month's checkup. He took me off the meds for cholesterol, but I kinda wondered if the number went to normal because of the meds or if it's actually from the diet and excersize. My BP is still high though. Since it's been 6 months and the numbers haven't really changed, just wondering if anybody else had been able to lower their BP and how long that took?

Thanks!

Diet and exercise will make a drastic difference in your BP and cholesterol, if you're larger, thats still more work your heart has to do, so the effects might not be huge off the bat until you lose some weight. Both high blood pressure and cholesterol run in my family, so even though I'm not obese, and am overweight, without exercise my bp are on the high side, but within a few weeks of going to the gym and doing cardio my bp dropped over 40 points and last time I checked (a week or 2 ago) it was a healthy 102/70, and I hope to get it even better. But if I don't work out, the numbers go right back up. Exercise and a healthy diet is huge.

Don't discount the effects of heredity on blood pressure and cholesterol.  I've had a healthy meal plan and been exercising for over a year, lost 112 lbs and my blood pressure medication had to be increased.  My overall cholesterol has improved but the HDL (good cholesterol) hasn't budged upwards despite taking niacin supplements and exercise.  Sometimes you just can't overcome your genes.

Cinnamon is supposed to be helpful with cholesterol as well as oatmeal.  Cinnamon is also given credit for helping to balance out blood sugars.

I think it happens relatively quickly.. I lost about 25 pounds in 2 months by eatting 1500-1800 calories per day and doing about 60 min of caridio 3x a week. My blood pressure went from about 120/80 to 110/65.

My doctor told me that it takes about a month to see the effects of diet and exercise on your BP and cholesterol levels.

Original Post by morninggirl5:

Don't discount the effects of heredity on blood pressure and cholesterol. 

 I agree.  I've lost 75 lbs (now 195) and am still seeing borderline to slightly elevated BP.  It runs in my family, along w/ stroke and heart disease.  I've haven't had any doc tell me I need medication yet, but now I have to watch my sodium intake and continue to lose weight.

For your cholesterol, working out and limiting the amount of animal-derived foods will cut it dramatically. Around easter, I decided to become a Vegetarian after my doc told me my Cholesterol was at 205, when it should be less than 200. I got my cholesterol re-checked last week and it was at 183. I work out about 2 hrs a week.

Exercising at increasing rates of intensity make your blood pressure go down. Also, cut back on your salt intake. I can't remember why, but it is bad for you blood pressure.

 

Just remember - there are plenty of thin people who have blood-pressure issues too... it's not JUST your bodyweight that determines your BP, your body is a very complicated system and lots of things play into it. You may not be able to stop taking your medication at all... or you might. The only way to find out is to keep up the good work and see what happens.