Relationship Between High Cholesterol and Hypertension
Introduction:
High cholesterol and hypertension are quite related. Two of the main causes for heart disease are excessive blood pressure in addition to elevated cholesterol. One in three persons in the United States have excessive blood pressure, and one in three have high cholesterol.
Due to the long-term harm that both high blood pressure and high cholesterol inflict, they are also the primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke. It puts you at much greater risk when you have both.
The metabolic syndrome is a collection of illnesses that includes high blood pressure and cholesterol. Diabetes, cardiac disease, asthma and stroke are all more likely to occur in people with metabolic syndrome. (VerywellHealth, 2023)
What is Cholesterol and Its Types:
Your body requires cholesterol, a material that resembles fat, to make cell walls and a few other hormones. The liver produces cholesterol, which is consumed through dietary items that come from animals, such as dairy, meat, and fish.
Because it is not soluble in blood, cholesterol must be transported throughout the body in lipoprotein-containing particles. Because low-density lipoprotein (LDL) raises the risk for cardiovascular disease, it is called as "bad cholesterol." In contrary to this, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is regarded as "good cholesterol" since it reduces risk. (Cleveland, 2016)
Reasons For Elevated Cholesterol Levels:
- Elevated LDL levels can result from decreased thyroid hormone levels.
- LDL levels are raised by nephrotic syndrome.
- Steroids, inhibitors of protease, and birth control pills are drugs that can raise cholesterol.
- Smoking increases the “bad cholesterol” (LDL) and reduces your “good cholesterol” (HDL).
- Hormonal changes brought on by stress lead to the production of cholesterol in the body. (Sakurai et al., 2011)
- Consuming too much alcohol might cause an increase in total cholesterol.
- Aerobic exercise is one type of physical activity that lowers cholesterol levels. You won't have enough “good cholesterol” in your body if you spend a lot of time sitting down.
- Your cholesterol may be raised or lowered by certain foods. Healthcare professionals may advise making dietary adjustments or scheduling a consultation with a dietitian to go over your diet. (Davis, 2021)
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Optimal Cholesterol Levels |
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Total cholesterol: |
150 mg/dL |
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LDL cholesterol: |
100 mg/dL |
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HDH cholesterol: |
40 mg/dL in males while 50 mg/dL in females |
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Triglycerides: |
Lower than 150 mg/dL (VerywellHealth, 2023) |
The Relationship Between High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure
Both elevated blood pressure and excessive cholesterol harm the endothelium, which is the blood vessel's inner lining. Atherosclerosis, a condition in which deposits of cholesterol and inflammatory cells accumulate in blood arteries throughout the body, is largely caused by endothelial degradation over time.
Inappropriate control of blood vessel dilatation is another consequence of endothelial injury. Arteries get restricted and hardened as a result, and they stop responding normally. The arteries harden and constrict as a result of calcium buildup and cholesterol plaque. Therefore, the effort required by your heart to circulate blood through them is greater. Hence the blood pressure rises excessively as a result. (Cleveland, 2016)
Management:
The patient has to make lifestyle adjustments that can strengthen their circulatory system naturally and help fend off any negative consequences. Try these suggestions:
- Give up smoking or avoid smoking.
- Keep yourself active by getting in a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise and doing weight training twice a week.
- Consume a diet rich in vegetables, grains, lean meats, fruits and healthy fats present in nuts, grains and fish, to maintain good health.
- Steer clear of foods high in fat, excess cholesterol, salt, or cholesterol-containing meals. (Sakurai et al., 2011)
Conclusion:
When both blood pressure and cholesterol are present in body, even if they are only slightly raised, they can combine to damage your heart and blood vessels more quickly. If left unchecked, they eventually pave the way for issues including renal failure and eyesight loss in addition to heart attacks and strokes. If you already have a high blood cholesterol diagnosis, keep a close eye on your blood pressure readings!
References:
The Risks of Having Both High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure. (2023). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/high-cholesterol-high-blood-pressure-5204455,
Cleveland Clinic. (2016). Diseases Caused By High Cholesterol | Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11918-cholesterol-high-cholesterol-diseases
Sakurai, M., Stamler, J., Miura, K., Brown, I. J., Nakagawa, H., Elliott, P., Ueshima, H., Chan, Q., Tzoulaki, I., Dyer, A. R., Okayama, A., & Zhao, L. (2011). Relationship of dietary cholesterol to blood pressure: the INTERMAP study. Journal of Hypertension, 29(2), 222–228. https://doi.org/10.1097/hjh.0b013e32834069a5
Davis, J. (2021, June 7). High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/high-cholesterol-and-high-blood-pressure