ABSTRACT
Background: Early detection of hypertension and assessment of target organ functions is vital for maintenance of health. Associated comorbid conditions like diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, smoking and old age increases the risk for early target organ involvement. Our aim was to study the prevalence of target organ damage in essential hypertension, effect of duration and severity of hypertension on target organ damage and to study the effect of comorbid conditions on target organ damage. Methods: We included patients with recently detected hypertension as well known cases of hypertension. Both inpatients admitted in wards as well as outpatients attending the hypertension clinic and admitted in the wards were registered for this study after taking valid informed consent. Patients underwent clinical examinations after detailed clinical, family and medication related history and followed by routine and specific investigations. Results: 100 patients were included in the study, of which 61 were males, mean age of 54 years (±2.4 years). Common modes of presentation of the patients were headache, giddiness and chest discomfort. We observed that controlling hypertension in patients resulted in significant changes when investigated with fundoscopy, electrocardiogram and 2 D echocardiogram. Additionally, duration and severity of hypertension had an effect on target organ damage, which came out as statistically significant. Conclusion: Smoking, alcohol, obesity, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia are independent risk factors for hypertension and target organ damage. As the duration and severity of hypertension increases the incidence of target organ damage increases. Hypertension along with other risk factors like smoking, alcohol, dyslipidaemia, obesity and diabetic mellitus magnifies the risk of complications.