Haemorheological parameters in hypertensive Nigerians compared to normotensive controls

Abstract

The values of five important haemorheological parameters, namely, haematocrit (Hct), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin concentration (Hbc), fibrinogen concentration (FC), relative plasma viscosity (RPV) and whole blood relative viscosity (WBRV) were determined in 30 male and 20 female hypertensives without complications, aged between 30 and 70 years. Thirty male and 20 female normotensives, matched for age, weight and height served as controls. Hct was determined by Hawksley micro capillary centrifugation, Hbc by the cyanmethaemoglobin method, FC by the clot weight method, ESR by the Westergren method, while both RPV and WBRV were determined by capillary viscometry. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured by standard clinical procedures and mean arterial pressure (MAP) determined. The results show significantly higher values of FC, RPV and WBRV in the hypertensives (p < 0.05). By contrast, there were no significant differences in ESR, Hbc and Hct between the hypertensive and normotensive subjects. We conclude that the increases in the various haemorheological parameters in Nigerian hypertensives are attributable to the significantly elevated levels of fibrinogen in hypertensive subjects. [Jnl Medicine & Biomedical Res. Vol.1(1) 2002: 63-67]