A Study of Clinicosocial profile of young female hypertensives in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: One of major contributing factors for the growing burden of cardiovascular disorders is increasing prevalence of hypertension and involvement of younger people. Despite its high prevalence in the population, hypertension in women has received less attention than hypertension in men. The primary objective of this study was to assess the sociodemographic and clinical profile of young female hypertensives. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study carried out in the Cardiology OPD of a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. Six forty six young female hypertensives patients (aged between 20 to <40 years) were interviewed and their blood pressure was measured. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure and mean diastolic blood pressure was 144.1± 24.6 mmHg and 79.9± 12.4 mmHg respectively. Newly detected hypertensives were 21.4%, out of which 39.1% were stage 1 hypertensives and 60.9% were stage 2.Conclusion: Though men are more commonly affected by hypertension, a significant number of females are also affected. By modification of lifestyle, diets, regular exercise and by use of appropriate drugs at right time, majority of hypertensive cases in females specially in the young age group of below 40 years can be controlled and thus major complications can be prevented.