Abstract:
Background: Hypertension is an important public health challenge because of the associated morbidity, mortality, and cost to society. Complications due to undetected and uncontrolled hypertension have been recorded to be devastating. Among these are cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and renal complications.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of hypertension-related complications and associated factors among hypertensive patients having a follow up at JUMC
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Hypertensive patients having follow-up at JUMC from September 01, 2020, to October 30, 2020. The patient chart was reviewed for any previously documented hypertension-related complications and the patient was asked if they have symptoms related to complications of hypertension. The findings were discussed and compared with similar studies done elsewhere. Based on the results recommendations and conclusions were made and disseminated.
Result: In this study four hundred fourteen patients (response rate 98.57%) were assessed at JUMC for hypertension related complications. From this the most common complication of hypertension is coronary heart disease (37.2). The most common associated risk factor for hypertension related complications are Diabetes mellitus (13.3%) and smoking (8.7%).The majority of patients (60.1%) are from rural areas and 58.5% of them are male patients.
Conclusion and Recommendation: This study Revealed most of the patients have coronary artery disease followed by cerebrovascular disease and chronic kidney disease as the main complication of hypertension, therefore preventive measures should be undertaken to prevent these complications. Treatment and lifestyle changes can help control the high blood pressure to reduce these life-threatening complications. Effective management and treatment of hypertension requires clinicians and patients to work together to balance pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions and prevent target organ damage
