PS-P16-5: ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (ASCVD) RISK STRATIFICATION OF HYPERTENSIVE ADULTS AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Most hypertensive patients have cardiometabolic risk factors, which raises the likelihood of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. As a result, international professional societies have recommended the use of ASCVD risk assessment in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. However implementation of this recommendation remains a challenge in local practice. Objective: To determine the atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk stratification of adult patients with hypertension using a Cardiovascular Specialty Organization's Risk Factor Counting method at a tertiary hospital Outpatient Department Methodology: The research study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional study design of 122 hypertensive adults between November 2020 to October 2021. Data gathered were a clinicodemographic profile, family history, smoking status, body mass index, and diagnostic tests including 12 lead electrocardiogram, urinalysis, lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar or Hba1c. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS version 26. Results: The majority of the 122 enrolled patients were aged 51 to 60 (37.7%) and 61 to 70 years old (23.0%) Results revealed that the majority of hypertensive adults in a tertiary hospital were high risk at 79.51% and 20.49% were low to intermediate risk. There was a significant difference in the risk classification distribution of patients based on their age, diabetes, dyslipidemia, BMI, and microalbuminuria or proteinuria. Diabetic and dyslipidemic patients were 35.6 and 5.52 times more likely, to be ASCVD high risk respectively. Obese I and Obese II were 6.96 and 5.24 times more likely to be at a high risk of ASCVD as well. Conclusions: In conclusion, the majority of hypertensive adults were at high risk for cardiovascular complications. Among the risk factors studied, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and body mass index, when compared to other risk variables, were significantly associated with high ASCVD risk.