Heart disease has become a leading cause of death in the USA. As cardiac risks remain a persistent threat to public health, the role of high cholesterol and blood pressure has garnered more attention today. Together, they both significantly enhance the chances of heart disease, as well as some life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, strokes, & heart failure.
Read the blog to dive into the relationship between high cholesterol and high blood pressure with heart disease and some of the actionable steps to manage these risk factors.
How do Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Affect Heart Disease Risk?
Cholesterol & high blood pressure are the most common factors influencing heart health today. When combined, they build a dangerous cycle that puts added strain on the heart and blood vessels. These health conditions cause damage to the heart, arteries, and other blood vessels. They often work together in a way that exacerbates each other’s negative impact. Let’s examine how:
How High Cholesterol Impacts Heart Health?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in every cell of your body. While it is essential for certain bodily functions, an excess of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) leads to several health problems. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) accumulates on the inner walls of the arteries and forms plaque. Over time, this buildup can harden and narrow the arteries. This health condition is named atherosclerosis.
Narrowed arteries restrict blood flow to the heart, making it harder for the heart to receive the oxygen & nutrients it requires. This results in chest pain or, in more severe cases, a heart attack.
How High Blood Pressure Impacts Heart Health?
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently very high. This puts extra strain on the heart & results in damage to the lining of the blood vessels.
The damage from high blood pressure makes arteries more susceptible to the effects of cholesterol buildup. The arteries become stiffer and less elastic, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. With narrowed and stiffened arteries, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This increases the overall heart rate and further raises blood pressure.
When high blood pressure is left untreated, most of the time it leads to heart failure. This health condition occurs when the heart becomes weakened from the prolonged strain and is no longer able to pump blood efficiently. The resulting lack of blood flow causes severe complications, including arrhythmias like-
- Ventricular tachycardia: A rapid heart rate
- Bradycardia: A slow heart rate
Understand the Combined Impact
The combination of high cholesterol & blood pressure drastically enhances the risk of cardiovascular diseases. According to recent studies, people with both health conditions have around 25% higher chances of cardiovascular events compared to those with normal levels of both.
Vicious Cycle
High cholesterol & blood pressure feed into each other. As blood pressure increases, it causes more wear and tear on the artery walls, which creates more spots for cholesterol to accumulate. This further narrows the arteries and increases blood pressure, forcing the heart to work harder. The result is a dangerous cycle that continues to damage the heart and blood vessels.
The Ultimate Risks of Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
When high cholesterol and high blood pressure persist over time, they can result in serious complications. These include:
Plaque Rupture & Blood Clots
Over time, plaque that has built up in the arteries may rupture. In this condition, the cholesterol and other debris from the plaque are exposed to the bloodstream. It triggers the creation of a blood clot, which becomes large enough to completely block blood flow in the affected artery. Depending on where the clot is formed, this blockage leads to a stroke or heart attack.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the cardiac muscle is completely blocked by a blood clot. Symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the affected part of the heart muscle can die.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the chances of a heart attack, making them two of the most dangerous risk factors for heart disease. Hypertension accelerates plaque buildup, while high cholesterol levels make the plaque more likely to rupture. It creates an environment where heart attacks are more common.
Stroke
A stroke happens when the blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted. Just like in the heart, blocked arteries in the brain can cause a stroke. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of stroke, and having high cholesterol increases the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, which can lead to a blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the brain.
Research shows that stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is often linked to hypertension and high cholesterol.
Simple Lifestyle Changes for Managing the Risk
Managing your cholesterol and blood pressure levels helps reduce your risk of heart disease. Fortunately, making simple lifestyle changes makes a big impact on your heart health. This includes-
Follow a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is the most effective way to control cholesterol levels. Limit the intake of trans and saturated fats, mainly found in highly processed foods. Focus on eating high fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon. This can help increase good HDL cholesterol.
Exercise Regularly
Daily physical activity is important to manage both blood pressure & cholesterol. By improving heart health & blood vessels, exercise helps to lower blood pressure.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese drastically enhances the risk of high blood pressure & cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy weight is important to reduce the strain on the heart & risk of heart failure.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol in moderation, or not at all, is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Excessive drinking raises blood pressure and results in other heart-related problems.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress contributes to higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Mindfulness practices like yoga, deep breathing, and exercises can help manage stress and improve overall well-being.
Regular Screenings
Routine monitoring of cholesterol levels and blood pressure is important to detect various heart attack symptoms early. It helps prevent the development of more serious heart health conditions.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level & blood pressure is the most effective way to reduce the risk of heart disease. With proper care, lifestyle changes, and regular screenings, you can significantly lower your risk of heart attacks.
If you’re concerned about your heart health, schedule a consultation with the specialists at SAAK Health. We offer personalized care and support to help you manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall cardiovascular health. Take action now to protect your heart for years to come.