Can High Cholesterol Cause High Blood Pressure?

These are individual markers but these are strongly associated with each other. When you have one complication, say, high blood sugar, your risk of getting high blood pressure or other complications increases. High cholesterol is said to cause high blood pressure. We reached out to Dr. G Ramesh, Sr. Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Proctor for Complex Coronary Interventions at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, to know if having hypercholesterolemia can increase the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure.

Can high cholesterol cause high blood pressure?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that helps in building healthy cells, produce certain hormones and initiate vitamin D production in the body. Cholesterol is produced in the body and we also get it from foods we eat. Healthy levels of cholesterol are necessary for optimal body functions but when the levels get high, it can cause health issues.

According to Dr. G Ramesh, cholesterol can be divided into Good (HDL) , Bad (LDL), and Ugly (Triglycerides) cholesterol. The most important cholesterol in Asian/Indian population is triglycerides and small dense LDL, which is common in diabetics and people who consume a lot of carbohydrates.

Though high cholesterol cannot cause hypertension, they both occur because of improper food habits like eating refined foods/junk foods, sweets, bakery products, etc., and lack of proper exercise. Not everyone who has high cholesterol would get high blood pressure but the risk certainly increases. So it is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly if you are diagnosed with high cholesterol.

Risky for heart health
The risk factors for heart disease can be divided into modifiable and non modifiable.

• The non modifiable risk factors are Age, sex, race, and family history
• The modifiable risk factors are hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, stress, and sedentary lifestyle

These are modifiable risks, which means one can alter them, and take preventive measures to avert heart complications. Both high cholesterol and high blood pressure pose risk for heart diseases. When you have two or more of these issues, you are highly likely to develop heart issues.

How To Prevent Heart Diseases?
To prevent heart disease, quitting smoking, controlling hypertension, and diabetes management is important. In addition to this, people should consume lots of fruits and vegetables. Doing at least one moderate intensity activity, like brisk walking for 30-45 min per day 5 -6 days a week, as per WHO guidelines is also helpful in keeping heart diseases at bay.

It is very important to check all the health parameters on a regular basis. This includes body weight, BMI, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. When these are regulated, you are at lesser risk of developing chronic health problems. Eating healthy, being physically active, and regular checkups are the three keys to a healthy life.

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