ABSTRACT
The prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) varies among countries and within sub-classes of a country. It has been estimated that hypertension accounts for 6 deaths worldwide. Though it is said to be a disease of developed countries; its prevalence is not lower in under-developed countries. Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease that can; if untreated; result in serious morbidity and mortality from cardiac; cerebrovascular; vascular; and renal diseases [1]. Optimal control of diabetes and hypertension is needed to prevent development of heart failure [2]. Rwanda is one of the most densely populated (344 persons/Sq. km; 2006) [3] under-developed countries in Eastern Africa. This study was undertaken to study the prevalence of hypertension and its clinical presentations; comorbidities and prognosis in the department of internal medicine of the Ruhengeri district hospital. It was a retrospective study in which records of hospitalized patients for the period of January to June 2008 were studied. Data of patients were collected and analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 11.5 and Epidata. Total number of patients with hypertension was 57 which were 2.53.Hypertension was more common in women (64.9); than men (35.1). The majority of patients had more than 50 years of age (64.9). The most Common symptom was headache (47.4); followed by dizziness (36.8); palpitations (28.1) and visual disturbances (19.3); epistaxis (5); miscellaneous symptoms like loss of consciousness; tinnitus; e.t.c. (59.6). The majority of patients had severe hypertension (47.4) and patients over 50 years of age had the highest prevalence of severe hypertension (67). Alcohol consumption; diabetes mellitus; congestive heart failure had significant association with hypertension. Among the patients studied; 5.26 died during the period of study. The Study revealed that the hypertension prevalence and severity of its effect were more for the patients above 50 years of age; and women were more affected as compared to men. Headache was the most common symptom among patients with hypertension