Is there an association between serum cholesterol and blood pressure changes?
A community-based programme to influence the risk factors of coronary heart disease was carried out in North Karelia, Eastern Finland in 1972-77. The evaluation, based on examination of large cross-sectional random samples at the outset and at the end of the period, showed a greater reduction in both serum cholesterol and blood pressure levels in North Karelia than in a matched reference area. A random cohort of 293 men and 321 women who were studied both in 1972 and in 1977 did not use antihypertensive drugs on either occasion. Among these people the change in blood pressure was positively associated with the change in serum cholesterol even when age, initial blood pressure, changes in body mass and number of blood pressure measurements were allowed for. This finding supports the hypothesis that changes in fat consumption lead to changes in blood pressure, but this hypothesis needs further investigation.
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk
D002784:Cholesterol