**2. Arterial hypertension**

Arterial hypertension (AH) (Fig. 3) is one of the most serious cardiovascular diseases. More than 20% of the adult population suffers from this disease. AH is one of the risk factors for atherosclerosis development of coronary, brain, and peripheral arteries, together with the main cardinal risk factors, that is, dyslipoproteinemia and tobacco smoking [14,20,38]. Atherogenic LDL subfractions also play a role in the development of the arterial hypertension [32, 43].

AH is a permanent, long-lasting increase in blood pressure of more than 140/90 mmHg in people of middle age. In people older than 70 years of age, values higher than 160/95 mmHg are considered increased. For more extensive guidelines see the Statement of WHO/ISH (International Society of Hypertension) on the management of hypertension [61].

Dyslipoproteinemia, which frequently accompanies AH and multiplies the risk of athero‐ sclerosis development, can also be considered one of the multiple sources that give rise to AH [35, 64].

Atherogenic lipoproteins in plasma cause endothelial dysfunction, increase vessel tone, and support the development of AH, which terminates in organ ischemia [8,50,51,55,57,59].
