Assessing the prevalence of hypertension in patients with chronic coronary artery disease in Cyprus

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease and a major cause of mortality worldwide, since according to CDC and WHO, it accounts for 18.2 million cases and 17.9 million deaths annually, respectively. Hypertension can precipitate the condition significantly, thus controlling it plays an important role in the secondary prevention of the disease. Aim The aim of this study is to highlight the significance of hypertension as a risk factor in patients with CAD, as well as, to compare its prevalence to those of the EUROASPIRE IV and the statistics published from the ESC Atlas of Cardiology in 2019. Methods A retrospective, observational study was created, from the Registry of Cyprus Heart Survey, where 375 individuals (88% Males, 66 years old on average) were examined in Nicosia General Hospital Cardiology Clinics with CAD, between the years 2011 and 2014. Their past medical history in regards to hypertension was noted and the data was analyzed by using Microsoft Excel software. Results The total prevalence of hypertension, based on the past medical history of the patients was 59% (females 61% and males 68%). Out of these, 44% still had abnormally elevated blood pressure on their visit to the Cardiology Clinic (females 36% and males 45%). Additionally, the EUROASPIRE IV study showed a prevalence of hypertension of 42.7% and ESC Atlas 24.8%, with median rates 22.3% for females and 27.0% for males. The total mean systolic blood pressure amongst all patients in our study was 136 mmHg, with no significant differences between males and females (136 mmHg and 137 mmHg respectively), while in ESC Atlas, the median SBP levels were noted to be 123.0mmHg in females and 130.0 in males. Conclusion Comparing the results from this group of consecutive patients from the Cyprus Heart Survey to the results of EUROASPIRE IV and ESC, it is made clear that all three studies point to the same conclusion. Firstly, it is important to acknowledge the difference between the two genders, with males recording a higher prevalence of hypertension. Moreover, despite the improvement observed in the management of hypertension that has been noted in our study, the secondary prevention guidelines are still not appropriately met. Managing appropriately hypertension, is of utmost importance in lowering the risk of recurrence of CAD in the context of secondary prevention measures.