Association Between Circulating Fatty Acids and Blood Pressure: A Review

High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension (HTN) remains key risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Circulating fatty acids (FAs) in the blood can affect directly cardiovascular hemodynamics and serves as building blocks for endocrine mediators modifying inflammatory processes and vascular function. This review aims to describe optimal circulating FA profiles for BP to adjust dietary recommendations for HTN prevention.

Recent research highlights the critical role of FAs in regulating inflammation and vascular function. Different FAs have varying effects on oxidative stress, insulin resistance, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction, all contributing to HTN. These findings emphasize the importance of FAs in managing BP and preventing CVD. Up-to-now, findings suggest that eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3), arachidic acid (20:0), behenic acid (22:0) and lignoceric acid (24:0) were promising candidates in reducing BP and thus, dietary intake could be recommended. Conversely, dietary intake of myristic acid (14:0), palmitic acid (16:0), and industrial trans FAs (iTFAs) should be restricted due to their association with elevated BP. Further research is warranted for pentadecanoic acid (15:0), heptadecanoic acid (17:0), stearic acid (18:0), alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n3), docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n3), linoleic acid (18:2n6), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3n6), arachidonic acid (20:4n6), palmitoleic acid (16:1n7), and ruminant TFAs since their associations with BP present inconsistencies in the literature. Lifestyle factors such as dietary intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking should be considered when examining the relationship between FAs and BP. Overall, the FAs profile may contribute to BP level management; therefore, dietary recommendations are important.