title: Serum LDL cholesterol levels and new onset of arterial hypertension: an 8-year follow-up.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Arrigo F G
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Cicero
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosticci
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baronio
authors.forename: Martino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morbini
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parini
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grandi
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Addato
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borghi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL
keywords: Hypertension; LDL cholesterolemia; incidence; population study