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Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Published on: September 27, 2024
Cardiovascular risk in overweight/obese and lean hypertensive patients
Ana Luísa Neves1, Luciana Couto2
1GABBA Program, Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, Portugal; Department of Social Sciences and Health, Family Medicine Unit, University of Porto, Portugal.
Insights
Overweight and obesity in hypertensive patients are linked to poorer lipid profiles, higher blood glucose, and increased cardiovascular risk. Primary care should focus on weight management education and metabolic monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity and hypertension are independent cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- The impact of obesity on target-organ damage in hypertension is debated.
- This study investigates weight's role in cardiovascular risk for hypertensive patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the influence of body weight on cardiovascular risk factors.
- To evaluate the association between weight and target-organ disease in hypertensive individuals.
- To determine the effect of body weight on global cardiovascular risk in a primary care setting.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 150 hypertensive patients in Portugal.
- Data collection included medical history, physical examination, blood and urine samples, and electrocardiogram.
- Cardiovascular risk was quantified using the Framingham score; statistical analysis used SPSS (p<0.05 significant).
Main Results:
- The study included 71.8% females, mean age 74.3 years; 29.5% prevalence of obesity.
- Overweight/obese patients had lower HDL cholesterol, higher triglycerides, and elevated fasting glucose.
- Mild valve disease was more frequent (57.9% vs. 29.6%), and global cardiovascular risk was significantly higher (10.9 vs. 6.5).
Conclusions:
- Overweight and obesity correlate with unfavorable lipid and glucose profiles in hypertensive patients.
- Higher cardiovascular risk is associated with excess weight in this population.
- Primary care should implement strict metabolic monitoring and enhance patient education on weight management.
Introduction:
Obesity and hypertension have been identified as independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, the role of obesity in the development and progression of target-organ disease in hypertensive patients is controversial. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of body weight on cardiovascular risk factors, target-organ disease and global cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients in a primary care setting.
Methods:
A cross-sectional observational study was carried in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal (n=150). A detailed medical and personal history was obtained and a physical examination was performed. Venous blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected, and an electrocardiogram was performed. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham score. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS(®). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
The sample was 71.8% female, with a mean age of 74.3 ± 10.8 years. The prevalence of obesity was 29.5%. Overweight/obese subjects presented lower mean HDL cholesterol (51.2 ± 13.9 mg/dl vs. 65.4 ± 35.2, p<0.005), higher triglycerides (137.8 ± 70.4 mg/dl vs. 111.5 ± 68.8 mg/dl, p<0.001), higher fasting glucose (111.9 ± 32.8 mg/dl vs. 98.4 ± 13.1 mg/dl, p<0.011) and more frequent mild valve disease (57.9% vs. 29.6%, p=0.021). Global cardiovascular risk was also significantly higher (10.9 ± 7.7 vs. 6.5 ± 5.7, p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Overweight and obesity appear to be related to a less favorable lipid and blood glucose profile and higher cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients. On the basis of our findings we suggest strict metabolic monitoring and improved education on weight reduction and control at primary health care clinics.
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