Blood Lipid Levels and High Blood Pressure
Many people with high blood pressure also have high blood lipid levels. To understand the connection, one must take a closer look at blood lipid levels and their effects.
Blood lipid levels include cholesterol and triglycerides. Cholesterol is divided into HDL and LDL cholesterol. Fats (lipids) are not water-soluble, meaning they do not dissolve in blood but are transported in the blood bound to protein molecules (proteins). This is how the term lipoprotein comes about.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein. HDL cholesterol is the smallest type of lipoprotein found in the body. It contains about 25 percent of the total cholesterol. Its role is to absorb excess cholesterol from body cells and transport it to the liver. Thus, HDL cholesterol protects against arterial calcification (atherosclerosis) and is therefore referred to as the good cholesterol.
HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein. HDL cholesterol is the smallest type of lipoprotein found in the body. It contains about 25 percent of the total cholesterol. Its role is to absorb excess cholesterol from body cells and transport it to the liver. Thus, HDL cholesterol protects against arterial calcification (atherosclerosis) and is therefore referred to as the good cholesterol.
LDL Cholesterol
LDL stands for Low Density Lipoprotein. LDL is the most important transport medium for cholesterol in the blood. It transports cholesterol to body cells. LDL is considered the greatest risk factor for arterial calcification (atherosclerosis).
LDL stands for Low Density Lipoprotein. LDL is the most important transport medium for cholesterol in the blood. It transports cholesterol to body cells. LDL is considered the greatest risk factor for arterial calcification (atherosclerosis).
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are blood fats that consist of one glycerin molecule and three fatty acids. Elevated triglyceride levels, in conjunction with low HDL levels, pose a risk for atherosclerosis.
Triglycerides are blood fats that consist of one glycerin molecule and three fatty acids. Elevated triglyceride levels, in conjunction with low HDL levels, pose a risk for atherosclerosis.
A balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids also helps keep blood lipid levels and blood pressure within a healthy range.
Hydrogenated plant fats should be avoided just like animal fats, as they also negatively affect blood lipid levels.
Sources
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-74518-8_2
- https://www.endokrinologie.net/pressemitteilung/erbliche-fettstoffwechselstoerung.php
- http://www.lipid-liga.de/wp-content/uploads/1007_Patientenratgeber_Fettstoffwechselstörungen-1.pdf
- https://www.msdmanuals.com/de-de/heim/hormon-und-stoffwechselerkrankungen/erkrankungen-des-cholesterinstoffwechsels/dyslipidämie
By Sabine Croci.
This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (04/2024).
Information on the website and within the app cannot replace a consultation with a doctor, but can certainly complement it.
