It may be possible to lower blood pressure by using a drug called Orlistat that blocks fat uptake in the gut. That is the conclusion drawn from a meta-analysis of previously published studies reported in the March 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths around the globe each year. Lowering blood pressure levels has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular related illnesses.

Researchers based at the Medical University of Graz, Austria, reviewed 48 articles that were published before March 2007, and analyzed weight-loss interventions for patients with hypertension.

Patients assigned to weight loss diets, or Orlistat reduced their body weight more effectively than did patients in the placebo/control groups states the report. Reduction of blood pressure was greater in patients treated with weight loss diets or Orlistat, than in the placebo/control groups. A reduction in body weight of approximately 8.8 pounds was necessary to achieve a drop of approximately 6 milligrams of mercury in systolic blood pressure with dietary treatment, and of approximately 2.5 milligrams of mercury with Orlistat.