A blood index reveals an increased risk of heart disease in hypertensive individuals
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of global mortality, and hypertension significantly worsens this risk. Recent research sheds light on a lesser-known link between an imbalance of fats in the blood and these diseases in hypertensive individuals. The plasma atherogenic index, which measures the ratio of triglycerides to good cholesterol, helps assess the tendency to develop atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries.
The study followed more than 20,000 hypertensive adults in China for nearly 12 years. Four distinct profiles of this index’s evolution were identified: a stable group with a low index, two stable groups with a moderate index, and a final group where the index increased sharply over time. The results show that individuals whose index increased the most had a 43% higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those whose index remained low. This risk was even more pronounced for heart attacks, with an 80% increase, and for ischemic strokes, with a 40% increase.
Young hypertensive individuals under 45 were particularly affected: their risk of cardiovascular disease was multiplied by 3.4 if they belonged to the group where the index was increasing. However, no link was observed with hemorrhagic strokes. Researchers also noted that individuals in the increasing index group often had unhealthier lifestyles, with higher rates of diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption, as well as a higher body mass index.
The plasma atherogenic index reflects an imbalance between harmful and protective fats in the blood. A high index means that triglycerides, which promote deposits in the arteries, dominate over good cholesterol, which helps remove these deposits. This imbalance accelerates the formation of atheroma plaques, which are responsible for heart attacks and strokes. The underlying mechanisms include increased inflammation, a reduced ability to remove cholesterol from the arteries, and insulin resistance, all of which together worsen vascular damage.
These findings highlight the importance of regularly monitoring this index in hypertensive individuals, especially the younger ones. Early management, combining strict blood pressure control, lifestyle improvements, and, if necessary, medications to regulate blood fats, could significantly reduce the risk of serious complications. Current treatments, such as statins, already help lower this index, offering a concrete way to prevent cardiovascular diseases in this high-risk population.
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About This Study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40842-026-00302-7
Title: Association between the atherogenic index of plasma trajectory and risk of cardiovascular diseases among hypertensive patients: a prospective cohort study
Journal: Cardiovascular Diabetology – Endocrinology Reports
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Weiqiang Wu; Peng Fu; Zefeng Cai; Yuxian Wang; Kuangyi Wu; Hong Zheng; Guanlin Chen; Zekai Chen; Yulong Lan; Yanjuan Chen; Shouling Wu; Youren Chen