The Dual Burden of Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia

Abstract

Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are chronic diseases with high socioeconomic burdens. They contribute significantly to mortality and morbidity amongst populations. Globally, hypertension is estimated to cause 7.1 million deaths and hypercholesterolemia contributes to 4.4 million deaths. They share common pathophysiological pathways and the combination of hypertension and hyperlidpidemia predisposes individuals to higher risk of cardiovascular events. Despite this knowledge, we are far from attaining the target treatment goals and these dismal results are sobering in the face of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.