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Cardiovascular risk factor profiles in mild to moderate hypertensives seen at Kenyatta National Hospital
G O Yonga1, E N Ogola, F D Juma
1Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Insights
Essential hypertension often coexists with other cardiovascular risks like left ventricular hypertrophy and obesity. Aggressive management of all risk factors is crucial to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a significant cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding co-existing risk factors is vital for effective management.
- Early identification of high-risk patients is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cardiovascular risk factor profiles in newly diagnosed adult patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.
- To identify the prevalence of common cardiovascular risk factors alongside hypertension.
- To determine the proportion of patients classifiable as high-risk hypertensives.
Main Methods:
- Prospective assessment of 60 newly diagnosed adult patients with essential hypertension.
- Inclusion of detailed history, physical examinations, and resting 12-lead ECG.
- Measurement of serum uric acid, fasting cholesterol, and fasting glucose levels.
Main Results:
- Twenty-nine patients (48.3%) presented with hypertension and at least two additional cardiovascular risk factors.
- The most prevalent risk factors were electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (31.7%), obesity (28.3%), and hypercholesterolemia (28.3%).
- Nearly half of the study population was classified as high-risk hypertensive.
Conclusions:
- Mild to moderate essential hypertension frequently presents with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
- Comprehensive management addressing all identified risk factors is recommended.
- Integrated risk factor management is essential to reduce the incidence of hypertensive complications.
Abstract:
Sixty newly diagnosed adult patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were assessed to determine their cardiovascular risk factor profiles. Detailed history and physical examinations were done. Resting 12-lead ECG was done and serum levels of uric acid, fasting cholesterol, and fasting glucose were determined. Twenty nine patients had hypertension and two or more cardiovascular risk factors. The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors other than hypertension were electro-cardiovascular left ventricular hypertrophy (31.7%), obesity (28.3%) and hypercholesterolaemia (28.3%). About a half of these patients (48.3%) can be classified as high risk hypertensives. This calls for aggressive management of cardiovascular risk factors as a whole and not just hypertension alone if we are to reduce incidence of hypertensive complications.