Abnormalities in thrombogenic and rheologic factors in Nigerian hypertensive patients

Platelet aggregation, plasma viscosity and plasma fibrinogen concentration were measured in 20 hypertensive Nigerian patients (10 males and 10 females) aged 32-72 years. Another 20 patients gender-matched normotensive subjects, served as controls. Platelet aggregate ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in hypertensive (0.38 +/- 0.24) than in normotensive subjects (0.80 +/- 0.19). The relative plasma viscosity of the hypertensive patients (2.04 +/- 0.14) was higher (P < 0.05) than the value in control subjects (1.64 +/- 0.25). Plasma fibrinogen concentration, determined by the direct clot weight technique, was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) in hypertensive patients (3.90 +/- 0.62mg/dL) than in normotensive patients (2.70 +/- 0.60mg/dL). There was no evidence of gender differences in all the above variables except in the plasma fibrinogen concentration, which was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in male hypertensive patients. It is thus evident that haemorheological and thrombogenic abnormalities may be present in hypertensive Nigerian patients at the time of diagnosis and therapeutic interventions that reduce the risk of thrombogenesis and rheologic abnormalities should be considered in the management of Nigerian patients with hypertension.