Factors associated to hypertensive heart disease development: a prospective cohort study in Bayamo, Cuba

INTRODUCTION: Among the conditions resulting from target organ damage by arterial hypertension, hypertensive cardiopathy is the one that exhibits the highest morbidity and mortality rates. Its prevention should be a target of all high blood pressure medical care programs. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for the development of hypertensive cardiopathy. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out in hypertensive patients assisted at the specialized arterial hypertension physicians’ offices of the “Carlos Manuel de Céspedes” Specialty Policlinic attached to the General University Hospital, Bayamo Municipality, Granma Province, Cuba, from January 1st, 2000 to December 31st, 2009. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis done to estimate the hazard rate (HR) of developing hypertensive cardiopathy, showed significant independent statistic association for most factors. The first place was occupied by lack of blood pressure control (HR=2.022; 95% CI: 1.659-2.465; p<0.005), followed by hypertension stage 2 (HR=2.015; 95% CI: 1.715-2.366; p<0.005). Another factors with significant HRs were microalbuminuria (HR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.6-2.2) and age over 60 years (HR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.4-1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Several risk factors must be considered for the prevention of hypertensive heart disease in high blood pressure patients.