Is Hypertension Despite Use of Two or More Anti-hypertensive Medications for Patients with a BMI < 40 kg/m Justified for Eligibility for Bariatric Surgery?

Purpose: Several insurance policies require the presence of hypertension, defined as blood pressure > 140 mmHg systolic (SBP), or 90 mmHg diastolic (DBP), despite concurrent use of >1 anti-hypertensive agents for patients with a BMI <40 kg/m to qualify for bariatric surgery (BS). The scientific validity of this requirement is assessed.

Material And Methods: A total of 461 patients who underwent BS in a community hospital were included.