In recent years, some scholars have proposed the concept of “malnutrition‑inflammation‑atherosclerosis syndrome”.This syndrome consists of three core components: malnutrition, inflammation, and atherosclerosis.The three components interact and aggravate each other, forming a vicious cycle.
Malnutrition can induce chronic inflammation, which in turn promotes the progression of atherosclerosis, including vascular wall damage and calcification.Therefore, malnutrition may lead to elevated blood pressure by accelerating the process of atherosclerosis.
There is an interaction between hypertension and malnutrition.Hypertension itself may induce malnutrition for the following reasons:
Many patients with hypertension go on excessively restrictive diets to control body weight, resulting in insufficient intake of protein, vitamins, and energy.
Side effects of some antihypertensive drugs may affect patients’ appetite and the absorption of nutrients.
Hypertension can impair renal function, which further disturbs the metabolism of nutrients.