Frequency of resistant hypertension in a hypertensive population

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of resistant hypertension in hypertensive population. Descriptive study. CMH Kohat, Pakistan from Aug 2010 to Dec 2010. One hundred and fifty patients were selected for the study. All had blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg despite use of 3 antihypertensive drugs including one diuretic. Once admitted, patients were given the same medicines in the doses which they were taking under DOT [direct observed therapy] programme executed by a nursing assistant to exclude non-compliance to treatment. All the data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. Out of total 150 patients, 96 [64%] patients were males and 54 [36%] were females. Male to female ratio was 1 1.8. Mean age was 46.93 years [SD +/- 16.38]. Compliance of patients to anti hypertensive treatment was ensures by DOT. There was no step up treatment. Mean BMI was 25.95 kg/m[2] [SD +/- 2.38], patients 71.3% were overweight i.e. BMI > 25 kg/m[2]. Out of total 150 patients, 16 [10.7%] patients had resistant hypertension using the cut off value of BP >140/ 90 mmHg. A significant number of hypertensive patients are suffering from resistant hypertension. Such patients need further evaluation to rule out any genetic, secondary and life style/diet related cause