Is There A Link Between High Blood Pressure And High Cholesterol?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 800,000 US adults die each year due to heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases. A primary cause for this is poorly managed hypertension and high levels of cholesterol.

Individually, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are risk factors on their own for heart disease and stroke. Combined they increase this risk further.

But is there a link between having high blood pressure and high cholesterol? 

This article will explore this link and highlight some simple ways to manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Understanding The Link Between High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is released from the liver following the consumption of meat, seafood, or dairy. Within its normal limits, cholesterol helps to build essential elements of cells as well as hormones. 

In its varieties, there is “good” and “bad” cholesterol. Having high levels of good cholesterol, such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered cardioprotective. High levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and other variants of cholesterol are harmful to one’s health.

When excess cholesterol gets deposited in the arteries it causes inflammation and restricts blood flow. Over time this narrows the lumen of the arteries and stiffens them, reducing the flexibility with which blood flows through them.

Blood pressure is the pressure required to get your blood through your arteries. Blood pressure varies based on the different states of the heart (diastole and systole). General body function, such as exercise or infection, can also affect your blood pressure. 

Having high blood pressure deteriorates the function of your arteries over time. Damaged arteries have an increased likelihood of cholesterol deposits and plaques. Conversely for those who have high cholesterol, deposits within the arteries can worsen blood pressure over time.

Studies have shown those with increased cholesterol are likely to develop increased blood pressure eventually. 

Incidentally, studies have also highlighted having high levels of HDL cholesterol is associated with a decreased risk of developing hypertension.

Due to their individual and combined risk of causing heart disease and stroke, as well as limiting the function of other organs, managing blood pressure and high cholesterol early is important.

How Do I Manage High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol?

Both high blood pressure and high cholesterol are individual risk factors contributing to the development of other chronic conditions such as diabetes. A mindful approach toward a healthier lifestyle is crucial to managing these vital health parameters.

1. Lead An Active Lifestyle

Exercising helps with managing both high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. A minimum of just 30 minutes of intense activity 5 – 6 times a week can lower blood pressure in a range of 5 mmHg to 15 mmHg. While maintaining a healthy body mass index, exercising also reduces the levels of low cholesterol. It helps to improve how the heart functions and how the blood moves through your blood vessels. 

2. Manage Your Stress Efficiently

Stress increases cortisol levels. This hormone then elevates the level of cholesterol in the body. Additionally, intermittent bouts of stress can also cause raises in blood pressure. Which makes identifying points of stress crucial. For each one of us, our stressors are different. For some, it is due to their work, for others family concerns, while others can be stressing over their personal development. Tackling this through effective ways such as counseling, routine relaxation, and self-care can have a positive impact on overall health.

3. Opt For A Healthier Diet

An unhealthy diet is one of the primary contributors to increasing cholesterol levels. Processed and fast food often contain unsaturated fats and higher levels of salt. Both are essential ingredients for raising cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Switch these out for whole food options. Add plenty of fiber and healthy nutrients through fresh fruits and veggies. Consider lean meat, and whole grains, and opt for nuts or yogurt as snacks. Learning how to read food labels also forms an important routine to cut back on fat and salt consumption.

4. Get Enough of Rest

Studies have indicated that restricted sleep can affect cholesterol metabolism, increasing levels of LDL cholesterol. Similarly, sleep helps to give our internal systems much-needed rest and repair. Minimal sleep can lead to fluctuations in blood pressure, often resulting in periods where the blood pressure is elevated. A restful night’s sleep is crucial to moderating cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Look into factors that might be affecting your sleep hygiene. Practice healthy evening routines to wind down, which include light evening meals and reduction of screen time.

Smoking is a risk factor for a long list of health conditions, of which hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are at the top of the list. Smoking lowers the good cholesterol in your body while promoting a rise in unhealthy LDL. Additionally, smoking contributes to arterial stiffness, inflammation, and imbalance of clotting factors further worsening blood vessels and your overall heart condition. Quitting the smoking habit is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for improving your health. It helps to favor reversible changes almost immediately, improving cardiovascular function.

5. Quit Smoking

6. Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Consuming three or more alcoholic drinks every day can result in a persistent rise in your blood pressure. This means that frequent consumption of excessive alcohol can result in longer sustained raises in blood pressure. Similarly, heavy alcohol use can also cause bad cholesterol levels, such as LDL and triglycerides, to remain elevated. While having one drink occasionally will not impact your health significantly, consuming alcohol as a habit has negative health effects. 

7. Take Your Medications Regularly

Finally, one of the primary factors to help improve both cholesterol and blood pressure levels is regularly checking in with your healthcare provider. When both hypertension and high cholesterol are noted early, smaller doses of medications can be used to manage them. This can be tapered or stopped over time when levels decrease. Often doctors initially recommendlifestyle changes before prescribing medications.

Conclusion

Having high cholesterol is a primary risk factor for having your blood pressure rise over time. Similarly, consistently high blood pressure can lead to increased cholesterol deposits within arteries. This cycle can lead to the deterioration of several organ functions over time.

With simple changes to your daily routine, by incorporating more rest, healthier food, and some exercise, both reduction in blood pressure and a decline in cholesterol levels can be noted. 

Ultimately, a healthy lifestyle also helps to improve mood, have productive days, and contribute to your overall health.