Prevalence and risk factors of complications related to hypertension at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Studies on complications of hypertension (HTN) are required to identify risk factors so that patients with HTN can be educated. Individuals are more amenable as they seek advice from the clinician and this fact can be taken advantage of, in preventing or delaying complications. Objective: The objective of this study is to study the prevalence and risk factors of complications of HTN. Materials and Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 patients with known HTN. Blood pressure was recorded using standard equipment and standard guidelines. Anthropometric measurements such as height and weight were measured as per the standard guidelines. Investigations such as electrocardiogram, ophthalmoscopy, and urine albumin were carried out for all enrolled patients to assess the presence of complications of HTN. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to study the independent association between variables and complications of HTN. Results: The prevalence of complications of HTN was 57% in the present study. The most common complication of HTN was an ischemic cerebrovascular accident in 25% of the cases and coronary artery disease as well as left ventricular hypertrophy in 21% of the cases each. The odds of having complications of HTN among smokers was 3.138 (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.141–8.629; P = 0.027) times more compared to nonsmokers. The odds of having complications of HTN among those without regular treatment was 8.265 (95% CI = 3.977–17.177; P = 0.000) times more compared to those taking regular treatment. The odds of complications of HTN increased by 1.113 (95% CI = 1.045–1.186; P = 0.001) times with each increase in the duration of HTN. Conclusion: The prevalence of complications of HTN among known hypertensive was high in the present study. It was significantly associated with smoking, irregular treatment, and duration of HTN.