When separating the patients into two groups according to β2-microglobulin, TNFα, IL-8, and sICAM-1 being above or below the 75th percentile– and comparing the percentage of patients with hypertension, history of smoking, and statin treatment, no differences were found apart from the previously found correlation between smoking and elevated sICAM-1. Here, TNF is linked to Hypertension.