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An Assessment of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypertensive Crisis in Patients Who Visited the Emergency
Abel Tezera Abebe1, Yabets Tesfaye Kebede1, Bekri Delil Mohammed1
1School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
International Journal of Hypertension
|May 7, 2024
Summary
Hypertensive crises affect nearly 5% of emergency patients in Ethiopia, with known hypertensives being most common. Key risk factors include medication non-adherence and lifestyle choices, highlighting the need for improved patient education and healthcare infrastructure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hypertension is a prevalent chronic condition affecting over 1 billion people globally.
- Hypertensive crisis, defined as blood pressure exceeding 180/110 mmHg, can manifest as hypertensive emergency or urgency based on target organ damage.
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of hypertensive crises is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and identify risk factors associated with hypertensive crises in patients visiting the Emergency Outpatient Department (EOPD).
- To analyze the characteristics of patients experiencing hypertensive crises at Adama Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Adama Hospital Medical College from January to August 2021.
- Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire from 444 identified hypertensive crisis patients out of 9,082 EOPD visitors.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS to tabulate findings and draw conclusions.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of hypertensive crises was 4.9%, with men (56.8%) being more affected. The 66-75 age group was most impacted.
- Most patients (91.0%) had pre-existing hypertension, with 48.6% reporting adherence to medication. Hypertensive urgency (63.5%) was more common than hypertensive emergencies (36.5%).
- Common risk factors included drug discontinuation, family history, high salt intake, and alcohol use. Headache was the most frequent symptom, and stroke was a major complication. Diabetes mellitus was the most prevalent comorbidity.
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive crises represent a significant cause of EOPD admissions with serious complications, often occurring in patients with known hypertension.
- Inadequate medication adherence, influenced by cost, and lifestyle factors contribute to hypertensive crises.
- Recommendations include enhancing healthcare infrastructure for investigations and improving public education on lifestyle modifications and hypertension management.
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