ABSTRACT
Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a systemic inflammatory marker used extensively. QTc interval representsboth ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Hypertension is one of the foremost leading causes ofmorbidity and mortality globally.Objectives: To explore the relationship of systolic blood pressure with QTc interval and CRP levels. Likewise toinvestigate the association of diastolic blood pressure with QTc interval and CRP levels.Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 100 randomly selected subjects in the age group of 20-45years. Both genders were included. Hypertensive subjects on treatment were also included. Three records ofblood pressure in the supine position were obtained with 2 minute interval between each and average wasconsidered. QT interval and RR interval were measured from standard 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Tangentmethod was used for QT interval and later it was corrected for heart rate to arrive at QTc interval using Bazett’sformula. CRP levels were obtained using high sensitivity (hs-CRP) assay kits.Results: There was a positive and significant association for systolic blood pressure with both QTc and CRP.Likewise we also found a positive and significant association for diastolic blood pressure with both QTc andCRP.Discussion: The inflammatory modulatory processes are altered in hypertension, thereby increasing CRP levels.CRP increases endothelin-1 and reduces nitric oxide leading to vasoconstriction and hypertension. Further CRPcauses autonomic imbalances by increasing sympathetic activity that lead to hypertension and indirectlyprolonging QTc interval. QTc interval is also lengthened by left ventricular hypertrophy as a complication ofhypertension.Conclusion: Hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy can cause cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiacdeath. This may be prevented by early detection of high risk hypertensive subjects or even those prone todevelop hypertension using QTc and CRP indicators. Further these markers are cheap and widely used and theyprovide valuable diagnostic and prognostic features especially in developing countries like India.