[Factors of cardiovascular risk for hypertensive patients followed during primary care]

To describe the elements of cardiovascular risk in order to calculate global cardiovascular risk in primary care hypertensive patients in Sousse Tunisia.

Cross sectional study including 456 hypertensive patients followed in 7 public health centers. Cardiovascular risk was assessed according the World Health Organization/International health society recommendations.

Average age was 65.6 +/- 9.8 years, Sex Ratio was 0.18. Sixth of the patients had at least three risk factors, the most frequent of them were getting advanced in years, mild hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Targer organ damages was showed in 13.8%; 8.3% presented an associated cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular risk was very high in about 20% of patients.

Primary care hypertensive patients show a heterogeneous cardiovascular risk. Patients with very high risk should be referred to specialists in order to benefit by a better care.