High Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Disease, and Excess Weight
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common but potentially dangerous medical condition characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure levels. It affects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease.
Excess weight gain, especially when associated with increased visceral adiposity, is a major cause of hypertension, accounting for 65% to 75% of the risk for human primary (essential) hypertension
At Harvey Brooker Weight Loss for Men we have helped thousands of Toronto men lose weight in a natural way and manage high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Types of High Blood Pressure
Primary (essential) hypertension: This is the most common type of high blood pressure, affecting 90-95% of people with the condition. Unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, excess alcohol consumption, smoking, stress and obesity cause primary hypertension.
Secondary hypertension: This type of high blood pressure occurs as a result of an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease or hormonal disorders. It accounts for about 5-10% of all cases and is usually reversible once the underlying cause is identified and treated.
Common Issues Associated with High Blood Pressure
Hypertension can lead to various serious health issues:
- Stroke: High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain, leading to an increased risk of stroke.
- Heart attack: Hypertension contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack.
- Heart failure: High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, which eventually weakens the heart muscle, leading to heart failure.
- Kidney disease: Hypertension can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste from the blood and potentially leading to kidney failure.
- Vision problems: High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in vision problems or even blindness.
How High Blood Pressure Can Affect Men
- Erectile dysfunction: High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and nerves responsible for erectile function, leading to erectile dysfunction.
- Prostate issues: Men with hypertension may have an increased risk of developing an enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can cause urinary issues.
- Testosterone levels: High blood pressure has been linked to lower testosterone levels, which can contribute to fatigue, decreased sex drive, and reduced muscle mass.
- Higher risk of cardiovascular events: Men are generally at a higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, compared to women. High blood pressure further increases this risk.
How We Support Men With High Blood Pressure in Toronto
We help overweight men manage their health issues by eating better without going hungry and developing healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Many of our members who suffer from high blood pressure and are on blood pressure medication are able to lower their doses or get off their medication completely by changing their lifestyle and eating habits.Â
Personalized Support: We offer both online and in-person weight loss support, as well as group and personal coaching. No matter the format, our members receive the motivation, support and guidance they need to succeed.
Unique Eating Plan: Our easy-to-follow 20/20 Healthy Eating Plan™ is tailored just for men and it uses a calculated unit system that will help you understand portion control and make better eating choices without going hungry. Everything can be purchased at your local supermarket.
Accountability: Our program helps members stay on track through regular check-ins and support.
Proven Success:Â We have helped thousands of men regain their health since 1985. Take a look at our Google reviews!
Attend a free meeting and see why our program has provided consistent and lasting success for our members.
If You Could Do It Alone, You Would Have Done It Already.

Toronto Men Who Have Lost Weight with Us
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I used eight diets over 40-some years. Lost weight on all, then gained it all back. This is not a "diet"; it is a lifestyle change. At Harvey Brooker I... read more lost 52 pounds and kept it off. Lots of clothes went to Good Will. You need to be honest with yourself. If you are looking for a quick fix just to get back to poor eating habits, don't waste your time.
Bern Grush
September 11, 2024
Once my husband joined Harvey Brooker, we were in it together! From January until August 2019, between him, our son (who started on our eating habits in May)... read more and myself we lost 125 pounds - practically a person in weight! The program provided, if you stick to it, is easy to adjust to. For example, I switched from about 4 coffee double-doubles per day to black green tea. Imagine how much sugar that is out of your diet in a week (at least a cup and a half). COVID did a number on my husband and I, but our son has maintained his weight loss and my husband is back in the program, well on his way to his pre-COVID weight. I would recommend this program to any man who wants to lose weight. The groups are supportive of each other and the men who share their stories are inspiring.
Trish Waters
September 11, 2024
My experience at Harvey Brooker has changed my life for the better. I have been with the program for 6 months and reached my target weight after losing 22lbs. When... read more I joined I had been steadily gaining weight and felt terrible. Worse than that I could see myself continuing on that path which was leading to more serious health issues and frankly a shorter life. For me, it was important to take a step towards getting my weight back down to where it should be and more importantly teaching myself new and healthier habits and mindset towards eating. In the six months I can say that with the support of Noah and the team and the other members I have done that. Attending the meetings either in person or online go a long way to staying accountable and also help with emotional support to get you through the lows and the highs. I would highly recommend this program and have already referred friends to take control of their relationship with food and weight.
George Agnew
September 11, 2024
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The process works! Unlike diets and fads it's nothing more than a lifestyle change of eating right, no expensive foods, no starvation (quite the opposite really). If you... read more have seen or heard the ads but are not sure about joining, do it, you owe it to yourself. Whatever the cost is in the long run you will save money. Update... over 2 years in and still working. Great group of guys, very supportive and informative team.
Rich T
April 11, 2024
A supportive environment with structure. The education and knowledge shared by members is invaluable in my journey to a healthier lifestyle. I appreciate having the support of the in person... read more meetings to learn and stay on track.
Bob McMahon
August 11, 2024
“If you could do it alone, you would have done it already”…..With this mantra, Harvey Brooker captured the essence of our weakness. We don’t read instructions; we don’t ask for... read more directions, and we don’t like to ask for help. Harvey’s insight into how we think resulted in the creation of organization that has helped men regain their health by replacing unhealthy practices with a simple easy to follow dietary program that we can choose to follow for the rest of our lives. Make the decision to discover how men like you can succeed on your weight loss journey. You will be inspired by individuals who have who have lost staggering numbers of pounds with the support of the Brooker team and with the support of individuals like you in attendance at weekly meetings. Whether it is your goal to lose 20 or 200 pounds, you will be welcomed by a community of like-minded individuals, who realize that regardless of your situation…..”If you could do it alone. You would have done it already.”
Allan West
November 11, 2023
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If you have struggled with weight gain, are a male, and wish to really make progress, Harvey Brooker is for you. It is not a quick fix, but rather... read more a lifetime approach to staying trim and healthy. The Sunday morning Power Hour is an essential tool to your success. All men, who understand the temptations to gaining weight. You progress through a week to week program charting your eating, and making losing those excess pounds easier. It is always challenging, but if you want to be part of a life changing program HB is for you. As they say "I don't eat like that anymore".
Tim Topornicki
November 11, 2023
Great place Down 30 + It’s the right place for me
rob thompson
November 11, 2023
The program has been fantastic! Since starting in December of 2022, I have been able to start eating healthier and I find I have way more energy, sleeping better and... read more just an overall better person! Harvey Brooker has changed my life. I have lost 50lbs and still going, the support is outstanding and it feels like you’re part of a family!! I cannot say enough about Harvey Brooker
Jason MacDonald
March 11, 2024
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I joined Harvey Brooker Weight for Men on May 2021. I weighed 242 lbs and felt desperate. With a diabetes 2 diagnosis and other health issues, I needed help. It... read more is now March 2024. I have lost 75 lbs and maintaining my weight going on 2 years now. I feel healthier both physically and mentally. I no longer take medications to control my diabetes. The program works. A lot of common sense and support available.
Tk fodder
April 11, 2024
I lost 50lbs and have kept it off for a while now, and am 100% sure they won’t creep back in. Why? It’s not a diet, it’s a permanent... read more lifestyle change. Once I got that through my fat head, it all clicked. It’s proven, balanced, logical, flexible, so damn smart. Speaking exclusively for myself (not for this product), I stopped 3 med prescriptions along the way, sleep way better, never have heartburn, dropped 2 sizes and love my clothes again. Is it cheap? No, nothing of real value is. Was it worth it? Hell ya. The only losers are MacDonald’s, Tim’s, Pizza Pizza and the Beer Store. Harvey was a genius, and I’m so grateful for the existence of this program.
Andy Frank
July 11, 2024
In the past I struggled trying to diet . Their realistic and easy to follow meal plan coupled with their weekly motivational meeting has made the weight loss achievable. ... read more I highly recommend Harvey Brooker!
Mark
November 11, 2023
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I make a 2 hr drive, all the way from Collingwood to Toronto to attend the Tuesday evening Harvey Brooker meetings. People have asked me “ is nothing closer... read more to you? “ I tell them the Harvey Brooker program teaches a one of a kind healthy eating lifestyle that is specifically designed just for men, and that it has one of the highest levels of one percenters ie. men who have maintained their weight loss long term. I tell them it’s highly motivating to see a number of men attending the meetings who were once overweight but clearly aren’t anymore. And the best part is once you reach your goal weight and become a maintainer the program is free so long as you keep maintaining your weight. This makes it one of the cheapest programs available. I’m hoping to reach my high school weight of 170 within a year, and I’m half way there already! I lost 25 lbs in my first 4 months on the program.
Peter Corlett
September 11, 2024
For me, Harvey Brooker Weight Loss for Men is the only program that is designed to train you to keep the weight off after you have lost it. Many weight... read more loss programs help you shed the pounds. HB helps you achieve this too, but goes much further. It teaches and conditions you to change your relationship with food in a healthy way. The program is either zoom or in person based, is rich with health information and recipes. Most importantly, it is a supportive and safe environment. I enjoy attending the weekly "Power Hour".
John Becevello
April 11, 2024
A comunity of individuals who are dedicated to a lifestyle and helping others in the program.
Len Perera
August 11, 2024
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No gimmicks or other nonsense. Excellent non-judgemental support from both staff and other participants. Food plan is easy to follow. It is all about change to our lifestyle - not... read more a diet centre. This place transforms lives. Check it out!
Jack Kugelmass
September 11, 2024
The only real no gimmick weight loss program there is. Learn how to change your lifestyle to a healthy one with no special foods, no injections, supplements or gimmicks. Great... read more group support helps the process. You can do this for the rest of your life!.
Jim Walsh
April 11, 2024
A husky boy. That's what I was used to hearing while I was growing up particularly at the clothing store. That didn't make me feel great. Life... read more goes on...with a tinge of self confidence kicking me in the teeth. Then I got fat. Enough was enough. I was fit but I was fat, carrying about 40 more pounds than I should have. Yes, I tried to do it alone. Did not work. I joined Harvey Brooker and learned that there is a way to a weight that was healthy. Did it take discipline? Yes. Did it take education? Yes. Did it take support? Yes. Does it take work? Yes. Is there a magic pill? NO, well sort of - and it is called the Harvey Brooker 20/20 Weight Loss Program for Men. If you are reading this and need the most logical, supportive & cost effective approach to getting healthy for yourself, then really, this is the place and program to consider. With thanks, Rick Mamros
Rick Mamros
April 11, 2024
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The 20/20 Plan, online resources and the support at regular meetings are what make this program so effective for anyone trying to get control of their eating habits.
Mark Chambers
April 11, 2024
I run a YouTube channel that involves aviation, and I always found it challenging to stand outside for long periods of time taking pictures and videos. After getting healthy with... read more Harvey Brooker, I now find it easier to do outdoor activities, and I even decided to sign up for flight lessons, now that I can easily fit inside small airplanes. I really don't think that I'd be able to do this without the program. Obviously, it has helped me out physically and medically, but the confidence I have gained in my accomplishments thanks to Harvey has been fantastic. Embrace the journey!
Wake Turbulence
April 11, 2024
They deliver on value and commitment to help achieve my goal of living a healthy lifestyle
Fortunato Pitaro
August 11, 2024
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