Lipids, relative body mass and arterial hypertension.

The interrelations of lipid levels, arterial hypertension and relative body mass were studied in 3907 men aged 40 to 59 years. Growing body weight was seen to be associated with marked increases in cholesterol and triglyceride levels and a decrease in alpha-cholesterol level. Growing relative body mass was further associated with elevated systolic and diastolic pressures. Cholesterol, triglycerides and alpha-cholesterol concentrations increase with elevation of arterial pressure. The latter finding is not related to increase in body weight and is relatively independent. However its mechanisms are still obscure.