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Bronchial asthma: a risk factor for hypertension?
1Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences
|May 31, 2001
Summary
Essential hypertension and asthma share similarities. Acute severe asthma attacks can temporarily raise blood pressure. Asthmatics have a high prevalence of hypertension, necessitating regular blood pressure monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Essential hypertension and asthma are both characterized by smooth muscle spasticity.
- Both asthmatics and hypertensives exhibit salt sensitivity.
- Shared characteristics suggest a potential predisposition between asthma and hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate blood pressure patterns during and after acute severe asthma (ASA) attacks.
- To determine the frequency of hypertension in stable asthmatic patients.
Main Methods:
- Group 1: Monitored blood pressure in 12 patients during ASA.
- Group 2: Assessed hypertension prevalence in 134 stable asthmatic patients.
- Hypertension defined as SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg.
Main Results:
- Mean blood pressure during ASA (147/100 mmHg) was significantly higher than post-discharge (132/82 mmHg).
- Hypertension prevalence in stable asthmatics was 37% (39% males, 35% females).
- No significant difference in ASA attack frequency between hypertensives and non-hypertensives.
Conclusions:
- Acute severe asthma can cause transient blood pressure elevation.
- Asthma patients exhibit a high frequency of hypertension.
- Family history and ASA attack frequency do not appear to predict blood pressure status in asthmatics.
- Regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended for asthma patients.