High Blood Pressure + Cholesterol: Why You Should Know Both Numbers

By Marva Edwards-Marshall, DNP, ANP-BC

MEM Health Promotion Services

When was the last time you checked your blood pressure? What about your cholesterol?

Many of us know that high blood pressure and high cholesterol are associated with heart disease. But what is sometimes overlooked is how important these two risk factors can become when they occur together.

You may feel perfectly healthy and still have elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol—or both. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) often causes no obvious symptoms, which is one reason routine screening is so important. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends blood pressure screening for adults age 18 and older.

Understanding your numbers gives you an opportunity to make changes before a serious health problem develops.

Your numbers tell a story.

Two Different Numbers…One Important Goal

Blood pressure and cholesterol measure different things.

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart circulates blood throughout your body.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance carried through your bloodstream. Your body needs cholesterol, but too much LDL cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries. The CDC explains that LDL is commonly called “bad” cholesterol because elevated levels increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. HDL is commonly called “good” cholesterol because it helps transport cholesterol back to the liver for removal.

Neither number tells the whole story by itself. Your healthcare provider considers these results along with other factors such as your age, diabetes status, smoking history, family history, medications, weight, and overall cardiovascular risk.

Why High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol Matter Together

Think of your arteries as pathways carrying blood throughout your body.

Over time, excess LDL cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup within artery walls. High blood pressure places additional force on the blood vessels. When cardiovascular risk factors occur together, your overall risk is greater than if you consider each condition separately. 

Hypertension is an important risk factor for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. High cholesterol and high blood pressure are also among the cardiovascular risk factors considered when clinicians assess whether certain adults may benefit from cholesterol-lowering statin therapy.

That is why knowing both numbers matters.

“But I Feel Fine—Why Do I Need to Check?”

This is one of the most important questions to ask.

Feeling well does not necessarily mean your blood pressure and cholesterol are within healthy ranges.

Hypertension frequently produces no noticeable symptoms. High LDL cholesterol can also build up in blood vessels without providing an obvious warning that you can feel.

Waiting until you feel sick can mean missing an important opportunity for prevention.

Routine preventive care allows you and your healthcare provider to identify risk factors earlier and decide what, if anything, needs to change.

Know Your Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is recorded using two numbers, such as 120/80 mm Hg.

The first, or systolic, number represents pressure when the heart contracts. The second, or diastolic, number represents pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.

One elevated reading does not necessarily mean you have hypertension. The USPSTF recommends confirming a hypertension diagnosis with measurements taken outside the clinical setting before beginning treatment. This may include home blood-pressure monitoring or ambulatory monitoring.

This is particularly helpful in virtual care because patients can monitor their blood pressure at home and review their readings with their healthcare provider.

Know Your Cholesterol

A lipid panel generally provides several important measurements, including:

• LDL cholesterol — often called “bad” cholesterol because higher levels can increase cardiovascular risk.

• HDL cholesterol — often called “good” cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol back to the liver.

• Triglycerides — another type of fat found in your blood.

• Total cholesterol — a measurement incorporating cholesterol carried by different lipoproteins.

Your LDL goal should be individualized. A number that may be acceptable for one person may not be the appropriate goal for someone who already has cardiovascular disease or has multiple risk factors.

Rather than concentrating on one laboratory value, talk with your healthcare provider about what your entire lipid profile means for your health and your cardiovascular risk. 

High angle view of blood pressure monitor and healthy food on kitchen counter

Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference

The encouraging part is that many of the same healthy habits that support better blood pressure also support cardiovascular health.

Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, and choosing a heart-healthy eating pattern are good places to start.

Consider building meals around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lean proteins, nuts, and other minimally processed foods while limiting excess sodium and foods high in saturated fat.

And remember lifestyle changes and medication aren't necessarily an either/or decision.

Some people can improve their numbers significantly through lifestyle changes, while others need medication in addition to healthy habits. If you're already taking blood pressure or cholesterol medication, don't stop or change it without discussing it with your healthcare provider.

Do I Need Cholesterol Medication?

Not everyone with elevated cholesterol needs the same treatment.

For primary prevention, the USPSTF recommends considering a person's overall cardiovascular risk, not cholesterol alone. For adults ages 40–75 who have at least one cardiovascular risk factor—such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, or dyslipidemia—the decision about statin therapy also considers the person's estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk.

This is another reason a personalized preventive visit can be valuable. Instead of asking only, “Is my cholesterol high?”, the better question may be:

“What do all of my numbers mean for my overall heart health?”

Your Home Can Be Part of Your Healthcare

Virtual healthcare can make ongoing cardiovascular monitoring easier.

If you have a reliable home blood pressure monitor, you can keep a record of your readings and discuss patterns with your healthcare provider during a virtual visit. Laboratory results can also be reviewed virtually, along with medications, nutrition, physical activity, weight, and other cardiovascular risk factors.

The USPSTF specifically recognizes home blood pressure monitoring as one method for obtaining measurements outside the clinical setting when confirming hypertension.

This approach can be especially convenient for adults balancing work, caregiving responsibilities, transportation challenges, or chronic health conditions.

Know Your Numbers. Protect Your Heart.

You don't have to wait for something to feel wrong before taking care of your cardiovascular health.

Knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol gives you information you can act on.

If you haven't checked your numbers recently—or you have results but aren't sure what they mean—this may be a good time to start the conversation.

At MEM Health Promotion Services, our nurse practitioner-led virtual care focuses on prevention, chronic disease management, medication review, health education, and personalized strategies to help you take an active role in your health.

Your numbers tell a story. Let's make sure you understand what they're saying.

Ready to Know Your Numbers?

Schedule your Personalized Wellness Visit today: https://d2oe0ra32qx05a.cloudfront.net/?practiceKey=k_1_110508

MEM Health Promotion Services provides convenient virtual healthcare for adults in Texas and Florida.

Now accepting new patients.

High blood pressure is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Read our Blog, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): What You Need to Know.”