Hypertension Remission After Bariatric Surgery: Metrics, Mechanisms, and Patient Selection.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To evaluate the efficacy of bariatric surgery in the management of hypertension by answering: How does surgical weight loss compare with non-surgical methods in short-, medium-, and long-term blood pressure control? Which procedure types and patient factors predict sustained hypertension remission? What underlying mechanisms drive blood pressure improvements after surgery?

Recent findings: Multiple trials and cohort studies confirm that bariatric procedures yield greater short- to medium-term reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and higher remission rates, than diet, medication, or lifestyle interventions. Long-term follow-up reveals variable durability: a substantial subset of patients experience hypertension relapse beyond 3-5 years, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring. Meta-analyses show gastric bypass confers superior long-term remission compared with sleeve gastrectomy. Key predictors of sustained remission include shorter preoperative hypertension duration, fewer baseline antihypertensive agents, greater postsurgical weight loss, and younger age at surgery. Emerging mechanistic studies highlight improved insulin sensitivity, reduced systemic inflammation, favorable endothelial remodeling, and altered gut hormone profiles as drivers of blood pressure reduction. Bariatric surgery offers marked advantages over non-surgical treatments for hypertension control in the short and medium term, with gastric bypass generally outperforming sleeve gastrectomy in the long run. Predictive factors (e.g., hypertension chronicity, medication burden, weight-loss magnitude, patient age) can guide candidate selection and personalized follow-up. Although metabolic and vascular improvements explain much of the benefit, the pathways underlying remission of non-metabolic hypertension remain incompletely understood. Future research should focus on clarifying these mechanisms and developing targeted postoperative strategies to minimize relapse and optimize cardiovascular outcomes.