Hypertension and Abdominal Distension: Exploring the Connection

Question
Hi
Is there any relationship between hypertension and the size of your abdomen? I don't mean in terms of fat, but how pronounced it is.
My weight has remained the same for the last twenty years (I am 50) but my blood pressure has increased slowly along with the size of my abdomen.
I am probably in better shape at 50 then at 30 as I stopped smoking and drinking, I now exercise, and eat low fat. My abdomen is almost free of fat but is quite pronounced.
I recently began taking medication when the b.p readings got too high, no change in my belly.
In talking to male friends, a few who also have the belly problem, they are also getting elevated blood pressure.
Is this a cause and effect thing? If I maintain my blood pressure at normal levels will my belly flatten out too?
Thanks.

Answer
people lose muscle mass and gain weight around the middle typically, as they age, but that is indepedendent of the blood pressure.  In many, the arteries slowly stiffen and the blood pressure can creep up.  So, that means that with control of the blood pressure, the belly probably won't change until you either lose the weight, increase the abd muscle exercises, etc.