Cholesterol & Blood Pressure: The Key to a Healthy Heart

Cholesterol and blood pressure are two of the most crucial health indicators that play a significant role in maintaining heart health and overall well-being. While cholesterol is essential for various bodily functions, an imbalance can lead to cardiovascular issues. Similarly, maintaining a healthy blood pressure level is key to preventing life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

Many people have misconceptions about cholesterol and blood pressure, often believing that only older individuals or those with obesity are at risk. However, these conditions can affect anyone. Seeking guidance from experts at the best cardiology hospital in Noida can help ensure proper management and preventive care.

Schedule your cholesterol and blood pressure check-up at Felix Hospital for early detection and prevention. Contact us today at +91 9667064100.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance in your blood that your body needs to make healthy cells. But too much cholesterol can develop into heart disease.

If cholesterol is high in your blood, it builds up and causes deposits in your blood vessels. They become large over time, narrow down your arteries, and harden into the artery. Occasionally, quick rupture of deposits can cause an area to balloon into a clot that clogs a heart or stroke.

Although high cholesterol tends to run in families, it is usually due to poor diet and lifestyle habits, so it can be treated and prevented. A good diet, exercise regularly, and sometimes medication can reduce high cholesterol.

What is Blood Pressure?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a widespread condition that impacts the arteries of the body. It is when blood pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries is consistently too great, compelling the heart to pump harder to circulate the blood.
Blood pressure is indicated in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and hypertension is typically considered 130/80 mm Hg and above.

The table should help Differentiate between Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

Symptoms

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol will never manifest with symptoms. The only indication that you may have high cholesterol is through the process of taking a blood test.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure usually doesn't have symptoms at all, even when it's at a dangerous level. Individuals may be suffering from high blood pressure for years and have no idea about it.

There are some symptoms experienced by a few people suffering from high blood pressure:

• Headaches

• Shortness of breath

• Nosebleeds

These are not characteristic of high blood pressure and only typically appear when it is harmful or lethal.

Causes

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is carried in the blood on proteins, in a package called lipoproteins. Various forms of cholesterol are distinguished by what the lipoproteins carry:
 

• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): Commonly known as "bad" cholesterol, LDL transports cholesterol particles around the body. It may have the potential to build up in the walls of arteries, making them narrow and hardened.

• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): "Good" cholesterol, HDL transports excess cholesterol from the blood back to the liver to be broken down.

A lipid profile also measures triglycerides, another form of fat that circulates in the blood. elevated levels of triglycerides are also a potential cause of increased heart disease risk.

Certain modifiable risk factors like lack of exercise, obesity, and poor diet could cause abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels. There could be a genetic element in certain individuals who are less capable of clearing LDL cholesterol from the blood or metabolizing it in the liver.

Certain health conditions could negatively affect cholesterol levels:
 

• Chronic kidney disease

• Diabetes

• HIV/AIDS

• Hypothyroidism

• Lupus

Also, some medicines for other diseases can make cholesterol worse, like:
 

• Acne medicines

• Medicines for cancer

• Blood pressure medicines

• HIV/AIDS medicines

• Medicines for abnormal heart rhythm

• Immunosuppressive medicines after an organ transplant

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is discovered to be based on two primary factors: the quantity of blood being pumped by the heart and the resistance of the blood as it moves through the arteries. The greater the amount of blood and the smaller the arteries, the greater the blood pressure.

There are two general categories of high blood pressure:
 

• Primary Hypertension (Essential Hypertension): The majority of individuals do not have a recognized cause for their elevated blood pressure. This form, known as primary or essential hypertension, typically develops over many years. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries from plaque accumulation, raises the likelihood of developing high blood pressure.

• Secondary Hypertension: It is triggered by a resultant medical illness. It often develops abruptly and is more prone to increasing blood pressure than primary hypertension.

Certain conditions capable of inducing secondary hypertension include:
 

• Adrenal gland tumors

• Congenital heart defects (blood vessel abnormality at birth)

• Certain medications such as cough and cold medications, pain drugs, birth control pills, and other prescription medication

• Illicit drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines

• Kidney disease

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Thyroid disorders

In other instances, blood pressure will increase temporarily in a doctor's office because of stress. This is called "white coat hypertension.

Risk Factors for High

Cholesterol

There are certain factors which increase the chances of abnormal levels of cholesterol, and they are as follows:
 

• Unhealthy Diet: Excess of saturated or trans fat increases the unhealthy cholesterol. Saturated fat is present in fatty flesh meat and milk products with whole fat, while trans fat normally is present in prepared foods and desserts.

• Obesity: When a person's BMI is more than 30, it raises the risk for high cholesterol.

• Insufficient Exercise: Exercise maintains higher levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, so a sedentary lifestyle may help cause high cholesterol.

• Smoking: Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol, which cleanses LDL cholesterol from the blood.

• Excessive Drinking: Drinking too much alcohol raises total levels of cholesterol.

• Age: High cholesterol can happen at any age but is more prevalent in people 40 years and above. As one grows older, one's liver becomes less efficient in eliminating the LDL cholesterol from one's circulation.

Blood Pressure

Numerous factors have the potential to lead to having high blood pressure, such as:
 

• Age: The risk for high blood pressure grows with age. High blood pressure is more common in men until about age 64, when it's more likely to occur in women.

• Race: High blood pressure is higher in Black people, and it develops earlier in life than in white people.

• Family History: A past family history of high blood pressure puts a person at risk of having it.

• Obesity or Being Overweight: Extra weight results in changes in the kidneys, blood vessels, and other bodily structures that increase the risk of high blood pressure. Being overweight or obesity also increases the risk of heart disease and the risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol.

• Inadequate Exercise: Weight gain, which increases blood pressure, is caused by lack of exercise. The heart rate in unactive persons is higher, and this works to increase blood pressure.

• Tobacco Use or Vaping: Smoking, tobacco chewing, or vaping causes a sudden transient rise in blood pressure. Continuous smoking of tobacco weakens the blood vessels and hastens arterial stiffening. Smoking has to be stopped for cardiovascular health.

• Too Much Salt: Excessive intake of sodium causes the body to retain water, thus increasing blood pressure.

• Low Potassium: Potassium counteracts the effect of sodium in the body. Low blood potassium levels, commonly caused by nutritional insufficiency or specific medical conditions (such as dehydration), lead to high blood pressure.

• Too Much Alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcohol, especially among men, is associated with high blood pressure.

• Stress: Too much stress can lead to temporary increases in blood pressure. Stressful behaviors like excessive eating, smoking, or drinking alcohol may heighten this effect.

• Chronic Conditions: A number of chronic diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea may lead to the development of high blood pressure.

• Pregnancy: There are pregnant women with high blood pressure, which is one of the causes of complications.

Although blood pressure is most prevalent in adults, it does occur in children. Hypertension in children is usually secondary to kidney or heart disease but increasingly secondary to lifestyle, including a sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet.

Complications

Cholesterol

High cholesterol may cause fatty deposits (plaques) to build up in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. It may limit the blood flow and result in serious complications such as:

• Chest Pain (Angina): With deposition of cholesterol within the coronary arteries, it will decrease oxygen to the heart and result in chest pain and coronary artery disease symptoms.

• Heart Attack: When an open plaque is developed, a blood clot can be developed at the location, which can hinder blood from being supplied to the heart and result in a heart attack.

• Stroke: A stroke happens when a blood clot stops blood from reaching the brain, as a heart attack stops blood from reaching the heart.

Blood Pressure

Untreated high blood pressure can burden the walls of arteries, causing damage to blood vessels and organs. The longer the condition is left untreated, the higher the risk of developing complications, which include:

• Heart Attack or Stroke: Artery hardening and stiffening due to high blood pressure raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and their complications.

• Aneurysm: Repeatedly elevated blood pressure weakens blood vessel walls, causing them to bulge (aneurysm). The rupture of an aneurysm is life-threatening.

• Heart Failure: The heart must work harder to pump with increased pressure. The heart muscle becomes thicker (left ventricular hypertrophy) over time and is less effective, resulting in heart failure.

• Kidney Damage: Hypertension can narrow or weaken kidney blood vessels and, therefore, compromise the functioning of kidneys and render them vulnerable to failure.

• Eye Problems: Hypertension can damage eye blood vessels, leading to loss of vision or blindness.

• Metabolic Syndrome: It comprises the clustering of such conditions as elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. It highly increases the risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

• Cognitive Problems and Dementia: Uncontrolled high blood pressure may affect memory, concentration, and ability to learn. Blocked or narrowed arteries in the brain may cause vascular dementia, which happens when blood supply to the brain is obstructed, at times because of strokes.

Prevention 

Cholesterol

Developing heart-healthy lifestyle habits prevents high cholesterol and keeps cholesterol at its best. The most important preventive factors are:

• Eat a Healthy Diet: Have a low-sodium diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with an emphasis on reducing animal fats. Include healthy fats in nuts, seeds, and olive oil in moderation.

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Reducing excess weight and having a healthy body mass index (BMI) can control cholesterol levels.

• Quit Smoking: Don't smoke, which decreases HDL ("good") cholesterol and harms arteries.

• Get Regular Exercise: Take at least 30 minutes of exercise on most weekdays to improve HDL cholesterol and overall cardiovascular health.

• Limit Alcohol Drinking: If you drink alcohol, limit it to avoid damaging cholesterol and heart health.

• Control Stress: Use stress-reducing methods like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to maintain heart health.

Blood Pressure

Lifestyle modifications can reduce the risk of high blood pressure significantly. Preventive measures are:

• Follow a Balanced Diet: Eat foods that contain lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and minimize the consumption of salt in a quest to keep good blood pressure.

• Do Regular Exercise: Do at least 150 minutes or more of moderate physical exercise per week, such as swimming, cycling, or walking quickly.

• Do Not Take Excessive Alcohol: Limiting the consumption of alcohol prevents high levels of blood pressure.

• Handle Stress: Engage in relaxation activities and exercises in an attempt to keep stress away.

• Be Within a Healthy Weight Range: Being at a healthy weight reduces the stress on the heart and blood vessels, thus reducing high blood pressure.

Treatment 

High Cholesterol

Treatment of high cholesterol is initially done by lifestyle modification, such as diet and exercise. But in case lifestyle modification is not enough to reduce cholesterol, physicians may prescribe medication depending on the individual's health condition.

Drugs for High Cholesterol

• Statins – Inhibit the production of cholesterol in the liver and remove cholesterol from the blood.
  Common statins: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Fluvastatin (Lescol), Lovastatin (Altoprev), Pitavastatin (Livalo), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Simvastatin (Zocor)

• Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors – Inhibits cholesterol absorption by the small intestine.
  Zetia can be administered with or without statins for augmented response.

• Bempedoic Acid – Operates identically to statins but with a lowered risk of muscle pain induction.
  Nexletol (bempedoic acid) or Nexlizet (combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe)

• Bile Acid Sequestrants – Reduce cholesterol by binding to bile acids, which causes the liver to utilize cholesterol for bile acid synthesis.
  Cholestyramine (Prevalite), Colesevelam (Welchol), Colestipol (Colestid)

• PCSK9 Inhibitors – Cause the liver to take up more LDL cholesterol, reducing blood cholesterol.
  Alirocumab (Praluent), Evolocumab (Repatha) (used in very severe cases or intolerance to statins)

Medications for High Triglycerides

• Fibrates – Reduce very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triglycerides.

• Niacin – Reduces the formation of LDL and VLDL cholesterol but is dangerous, i.e., liver damage and strokes.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements – Reduce triglycerides (prescription or over-the-counter).

Children and Treatment of Cholesterol

Diet and exercise are the initial treatment in children 2 years of age and older with high cholesterol. Severe cholesterol abnormalities in children older than 10 years are treated with statins.

Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

The first treatment for high blood pressure is lifestyle change. If lifestyle change is not sufficient, physicians will prescribe medication.

• Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Blood Pressure

• Follow a low-sodium, heart-healthy diet with fruits and vegetables.

• Exercise daily (at least 30 minutes most days of the week).

• Be at a healthy weight.

• Stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.

• Sleep 7 to 9 hours per day.

• Manage stress with relaxation techniques.

Medications for High Blood Pressure

The drug selected is based on the extent of blood pressure, age, and disease. In most individuals, a combination of two or more drugs works best.

• Water Pills – Lessen excess water and sodium to lower blood pressure.
  Thiazide diuretics (primary treatment): Chlorthalidone, Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
  Loop diuretics (for kidney impairment or heart failure): Furosemide (Lasix)
  Potassium-sparing diuretics (don't lose potassium): Triamterene

• ACE Inhibitors (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors) – Make blood vessels relax by blocking a natural chemical that constricts them.
  Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), Benazepril (Lotensin), Captopril

• Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) – Block the action of a natural chemical that constricts blood vessels.
  Losartan (Cozaar), Candesartan (Atacand)

• Calcium Channel Blockers – Relax the muscles in the blood vessels and reduce heart rate in certain cases.
  Amlodipine (Norvasc), Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
  Grapefruit should be avoided when on calcium channel blockers, as it can raise levels of drugs perilously.

Meet the Best Cardiologists at Felix Hospital for Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

If you are experiencing symptoms or need to control your blood pressure and cholesterol effectively, expert cardiologists are the ones to consult. At Felix Hospital, we have had seasoned treatment for cardiovascular ailments.

Our Experienced Cardiologists:

1. Dr. Rahul Arora – Interventricular cardiology specialist and advanced heart care expert.

2. Dr. Siddharth Samrat – Specialist in preventive care of the heart and controlling cardiovascular ailments.

3. Dr. Virendra Singh – Specialist for complex heart and cardiovascular ailments.

With cutting-edge technology and patient-centric treatment, Felix Hospital is one of the top cardiology hospitals in Noida for comprehensive cardiac care.

Book an appointment with our expert cardiologists at Felix Hospital and get personalized guidance on managing your cholesterol and blood pressure.

Conclusion

It is essential to have balanced cholesterol and blood pressure levels to be healthy in the long term for your heart. Preventive treatment through lifestyle modification, routine screening, and medical intervention can avoid severe complications. If you are worried about the health of your heart, talk to the top cardiologists at Felix Hospital today and take charge of your well-being.

FAQs on Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

Q- Is it possible for me to inherit high cholesterol, and what can I do about it if it exists in my family?
ANS: Yes, heredity has something to do with it. If your family has high cholesterol, then you need to keep a healthy heart diet, be physically active each day, and have a cholesterol test taken regularly. You might need to take medication as well.

Q- Can a person have high blood pressure with absolutely no symptoms?
ANS: Yes. The "silent killer" is a nickname given to high blood pressure because it often has no obvious symptoms until its later stages. That's why it's especially crucial to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Q- Are there natural foods that decrease blood pressure and cholesterol?
ANS: Yes, foods rich in fiber (such as oats, flaxseeds, and beans), Omega-3 fatty acids (in fatty fish), and potassium (such as bananas and spinach) may be able to keep cholesterol and blood pressure levels under control.

Q- In what ways does stress directly affect my blood pressure and cholesterol level?
ANS: Stress can lead to temporary spikes in blood pressure and to chronic high blood pressure. Stress also affects cholesterol levels through the promotion of unhealthy eating and hormonal imbalances.

Q- Can I lower my cholesterol and blood pressure without taking medicine?
ANS: In most cases, diet restriction, exercise, weight control, and stress reduction can have a marked effect on cholesterol and blood pressure. If lifestyle change is insufficient, however, medication will be required.

Q- How often should I have cholesterol and blood pressure checked?
ANS: If low risk, the cholesterol is monitored every 4-6 years, and blood pressureis  checked at least once a year. However, people at risk must do it more often as directed by their physician.

Q- Does alcohol use impact cholesterol and blood pressure?
ANS: While moderate alcohol consumption will increase HDL (good) cholesterol slightly, heavy drinking increases blood pressure, causes weight gain, and otherwise disrupts heart health in other ways. Better to take the doctor's advice regarding alcohol consumption.