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Biochemical aberrations in hypertensive patients on antihypertensive drug therapy
Insights
Hypertension patients on medication often experience biochemical changes, including low potassium and abnormal lipid levels. Regular biochemical monitoring is crucial for managing hypertension effectively.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Hypertension is a prevalent condition often managed with antihypertensive therapy.
- Antihypertensive medications can lead to various biochemical alterations.
- Understanding these biochemical changes is vital for comprehensive patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate biochemical aberrations in newly diagnosed and long-standing hypertensive patients undergoing antihypertensive therapy.
- To identify the prevalence of hypokalemia, hyponatremia, renal dysfunction, and lipid abnormalities in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 172 hypertensive patients.
- Analysis of serum potassium, sodium, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels.
- Assessment of biochemical parameters in relation to antihypertensive drug use, with hydrochlorothiazide being the most common.
Main Results:
- Significant prevalence of hypokalemia (44% and 13.4%) and hyponatremia (13.8%).
- Low incidence of renal dysfunction (0.05%).
- Marked abnormalities in lipid profiles, including elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and altered HDL and LDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Antihypertensive therapy is associated with significant biochemical disturbances in hypertensive patients.
- Constant biochemical evaluation is essential for the effective management of hypertensive patients.
- Monitoring electrolytes and lipid profiles should be an integral part of routine care for individuals with hypertension.
Abstract:
This study focused on biochemical aberrations in newly diagnosed and long standing hypertensives on anti-hypertensive therapy. One hundred and seventy two hypertensives were studied. Hydrochlorthiazide was the most used drug (41 percent). Of the hypertensive patients, 44 percent and 13.4 percent were hypokalaemic when 3.5 and 3.0 ml/l serum potassium respectively was used as criterion for defining hypokalaemia. In addition 13.8 percent had serum sodium levels ranging between 110- 120 mmol/l. Renal dysfunction was found in 0.05 percent of the patients studied as judged by both raised serum urea and creatinine. Lipids and lipoproteins abnormalities were also apparent in the patient groups, cholesterol and triglycerides being significantly raised (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.001 respectively). High density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) in the patients whereas low density cholesterol was higher (p less than 0.001). In conclusion, this study highlights the need for constant biochemical evaluation on hypertensives on antihypertensive therapy as part of management of hypertensive patients.