High cholesterol and high blood pressure increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Normal blood pressure helps protect you against heart attacks and strokes. A healthy blood pressure reading may not adequately shield you, though, particularly if you face additional risks for heart problems. And, if you have high cholesterol and don't treat it, the clogs in your arteries could lead to high blood pressure.
Cholesterol and Heart Disease
Ideally, your cholesterol would measure lower than 200 mg/dl -- milligrams per deciliter. A reading between 200 mg/dl and 240 mg/dl puts you at borderline risk for developing heart disease. If your cholesterol measures higher than 240 mg/dl, this puts you at high risk -- you are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as someone with a score of 200 mg/dl or below, according to the American Heart Association. A normal blood pressure reading provides good news, but additional risk factors to consider include your weight, age and gender as well as medical conditions such as diabetes and lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking and exercise.
Blood Pressure
Normal blood pressure falls at or below 120/80 mmHg -- millimeters of mercury. The top number represents your systolic pressure -- the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The lower number -- your diastolic pressure -- measures the pressure between heartbeats. If your systolic blood pressure tests between 120 and 139 or your diastolic blood pressure measures between 80 and 89, you suffer from pre-hypertension. High scores put you in stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure. You require emergency care if your systolic blood pressure measures higher than 180 or your diastolic blood pressure measures more than 110.
Diet to Lower Cholesterol
Dietary measures can help you lower your cholesterol levels and keep your blood pressure within normal range. MayoClinic.com recommends a daily diet that includes no more than 16 g to 22 g of saturated fat, 2 g of trans fat and 200 mg to 300 mg of cholesterol, including heart-healthy oils in seeds, nuts and fish. You should also consume fewer sugary drinks and snacks, exercise regularly, and limit alcohol to no more than two drinks a day for men younger than 50 and one a day for everyone else.
Considerations
To keep your cholesterol and fat consumption within recommended amounts, eat few eggs or shrimp, avoid organ meats, and choose low-fat and nonfat dairy products. Choose lean animal protein -- halibut and skinless chicken, for instance -- and keep portions small. Include more vegetable protein such as beans and tofu, eat fish at least twice a week, and replace margarine and shortening with healthier cooking oils such as olive oil and canola oil. Dietary measures to keep your blood pressure at normal levels include cutting back on salt and adding potassium, which is found in fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes and bananas.
References
- MayoClinic.com: High Cholesterol
- American Heart Association: About High Blood Pressure
- American Heart Association: About Cholesterol: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- American Heart Association: About High Blood Pressure: Understanding Blood Pressure Reading
- MayoClinic.com: Healthy Diet: End the Guesswork With These Nutrition Guidelines
- University of California San Francisco: Cholesterol Content of Foods
