Serum LDL cholesterol levels and new onset of arterial hypertension: an 8-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Serum cholesterol has been demonstrated to correlate with blood pressure values; therefore, abnormal levels of serum cholesterol might contribute to the development of hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the new onset of hypertension over a period of 8 years in a pharmacologically untreated population sample in normo- and hypercholesterolemic individuals. DESIGN: 1864 Caucasian subjects with baseline blood pressure values <140/90 mmHg were subdivided into two different groups, according to LDL cholesterol changes observed over a period of 8 years. Group 1 included subjects whose LDL cholesterol levels remained or decreased within the normal range, while Group 2 included those whose LDL cholesterol levels were persistently increased above the normal range. The 8-year incidence of new-onset hypertension was 7·1% in Group 1 and 13·8% in Group 2 (P = 0·02), after adjustment for the main confounding risk factors. The difference between Groups 1 and 2 was confirmed in men (8·2 vs. 13·1%, P = 0·04) and women (6·1. vs. 14·5%, P = 006), as well as in subjects younger than 65 years (5·7 vs. 10·9%; P = 0·011), but not in older ones. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline serum LDL cholesterol levels are related to the rate of new-onset hypertension in patients with normal or marginally elevated blood pressure values.