Awareness of Hypertension in Reproductive-Aged Women Living With Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Hypertension is the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor among women. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects 1 in 10 reproductive-aged women, increases the risk of hypertension; however, awareness of hypertension in this population is unknown. This study aimed to determine hypertension awareness among reproductive-aged women living with chronic kidney disease. Methods: Women aged 18 to 50 years with CKD were recruited from nephrology clinics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants completed a semistructured interview and focused chart review, serum and urine laboratory assessment, and a physical examination that included anthropomorphic measurements and 2 automated office blood pressure readings. Hypertension was defined according to the use of ≥ 1 antihypertensive medications and/or an automated office blood pressure reading of ≥ 135/85 mm Hg. Data were stratified by hypertension status, as well as by awareness, and descriptively presented as mean ± standard deviation, numerical values, and percentages. Results: Sixty-three participants with CKD were included. Thirty-eight (60%) participants had hypertension according to study definitions. Of those with hypertension, 30 participants (79%) were aware of their hypertension status. Conclusions: Hypertension awareness is relatively high in reproductive-aged women living with CKD. However, hypertension awareness is the critical component for hypertension management, and further work is necessary to optimize reduction of cardiovascular risk in this important population.