Triglyceride, an Independent Risk Factor for New-Onset Hypertension: A Perspective

Abstract

Abstract: Hypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide. Alt-hough the pathogenesis of hypertension is complex and multifactorial, obesity-related hypertension has become a major focus of attention because of the continued increase in the prevalence of over-weight and obesity. Several mechanisms have been suggested to underlie obesity-related hypertension, including an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity, an upregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, alterations in adipose-derived cytokines, and an augmentation of insulin re-sistance. Emerging evidence from observational studies (including those using Mendelian randomiza-tion)suggests that the presence of high triglycerides, which is a common comorbidity in obesity, is an independent risk factor for new-onset hypertension. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying triglyceride-associated hypertension. We summarize the existing clinical evidence that has demonstrated the adverse effect of triglycerides on blood pressure, and we then discuss possible un-derlying mechanisms based on the evidence from animal and human studies, with a particular focus on the roles of endothelial function, white blood cells, i.e., lymphocytes, and pulse rate.