Blood lipids and high blood pressure
Many people with high blood pressure also have high blood lipid levels. To understand the connection, it's helpful to take a closer look at blood lipids and how they work.
Blood lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides. Cholesterol is divided into HDL and LDL cholesterol. Fats (lipids) are not water-soluble, so they don't dissolve in blood; instead they are bound to protein molecules and transported in the blood. That's where the term lipoprotein comes from.
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 body's total cholesterol. Its job is to pick up excess cholesterol from the body's cells and carry it to the liver. In this way HDL cholesterol protects against hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and is therefore called 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 body's total cholesterol. Its job is to pick up excess cholesterol from the body's cells and carry it to the liver. In this way HDL cholesterol protects against hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and is therefore called the "good" cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol
LDL stands for Low Density Lipoprotein. LDL is the main carrier of cholesterol in the blood. It delivers cholesterol to the body's cells. LDL is considered the biggest risk factor for hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
LDL stands for Low Density Lipoprotein. LDL is the main carrier of cholesterol in the blood. It delivers cholesterol to the body's cells. LDL is considered the biggest risk factor for hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are blood fats made up of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids. Elevated triglyceride levels, especially when combined with low HDL levels, increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
Triglycerides are blood fats made up of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids. Elevated triglyceride levels, especially when combined with low HDL levels, increase the risk of 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.
Hardened vegetable fats should be avoided just like animal fats, since they also have a negative effect on 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
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 04/2024).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
