Background: Hypertension is a major cause of death worldwide. The increasing prevalence of hypertension in young individuals is a warning sign of the impending cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal diseases in the future. Hypertension affects 1 in 8 adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years and this number is likely to increase with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and the lowering of hypertension diagnostic thresholds. Although the mechanisms are unclear, early-life factors have been found to influence blood pressure (BP), and BP tracks strongly within individuals from adolescence through to later life. Higher BP at a young age is associated with abnormalities on heart and brain imaging and increases the likelihood of cardiovascular events by middle age. However, young patients often have lower diagnosis rates, and their treatment is often delayed.
Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2021 to March 2021 in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 50 cases, male and female, were studied based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Routine investigations were done on all patients, and uric acid and lipid profiles were sent to evaluate the association. Patients’ height and weight were recorded to calculate BMI. Patients below 12 years, pregnant women, and patients with previous cardiovascular and secondary causes of hypertension were excluded from the study. The study was carried out in all patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: During the study period, a total of 50 patients (27 females and 23 males) were included. Our study revealed a female preponderance in the ratio of 1:1.1. More patients were in the age group of 40-45 years. Overweight was significantly noted with BMI >25 in 30 patients and >30 in 10 patients. Uric acid was significantly increased in 27 patients. Lipid abnormalities were noted: LDL increased in 30 patients, TGL increased in 32 patients, HDL increased in 20 patients, Total Cholesterol in 25 patients, and VLDL increased in 25 patients.
Conclusions: Our study showed that BMI was significantly higher in hypertensive patients. Furthermore, lipid abnormalities were present in overweight patients, contributing to hypertension. Although uric acid was elevated in a significant number of patients, it did not emerge as a risk factor in young hypertensives. We recommend a healthy lifestyle and a disciplined diet to avoid the hazards of hypertension.
