Echocardiography and Electrocardiographic Findings among Hypertensive Patients at the Follow-Up Clinic of Jimma Medical Center: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases worldwide and a major contributor to structural and functional heart abnormalities. Early detection of cardiac involvement in hypertensive patients is crucial to prevent complications. Echocardiography and Electrocardiography are valuable tools for evaluating cardiac changes associated with hypertension. Objective: This study aimed to assess Echocardiography and Electrocardiographic findings among hypertensive patients visiting chronic follow up at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Ethiopia Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Jimma Medical Center from February10-March 20, 2025. The study was focused on hypertensive patients undergoing chronic follow-up during the specified period. The inclusion of participants was determined through a systematic random sampling technique. Data Collection and Analysis: Data collected by kobo toolbox was exported to excel and then, to IBM SPSS version 26 software package for analysis. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models was employed. In the bivariate analysis, variables with a P-value less than 0.25 were considered candidates for inclusion in the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable logistic regression model, variables with a P-value less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Results: All the 268 study participants had Electrocardiography (ECG) and Transthoracic echocardiography. ECG evaluation showed high rates of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, 35.4% by Sokolow-Lyon criteria and 28.4% by Cornell voltage criteria. Left anterior fascicular block was found in 23.5% of participants, and QTc is prolonged in 7.1% of hypertensive individuals. TTE evaluation showed high rates of concentric LVH 39.2% and left ventricular internal v diastolic diameter(LVIDd) is enlarged in 11.2% participants. In multivariable logistic regression, Age ≥50Yr ( AOR, 4 [95% CI, 1.76-9.05], P=0.001), DBP≥90mmHg( AOR, 4.3[95% CI, 2.0 9.1], P<0.001), duration of hypertension≥10yrs( AOR, 2.42 [95% CI, 1.17-5.02], P=0.017), total cholesterol≥240mg/dl( AOR, 7.2[95% CI, 1.5-36], P=0.01), and BMI 25-29Kg/m2( AOR, 4 [95% CI, 1.7-8.7], P=0.001), were significantly associated with LVH on ECG and on TTE LVH has significant association with Age ≥50yrs( AOR, 3.6[95% CI, 1.8-7.2], P<0.001), DBP≥90mmHg( AOR, 2.02 [95% CI, 1.1-3.97], P=0.023), and BMI 25-29 Kg/m2( AOR, 3.43 [95% CI, 1.6-7.2], P=0.001), and obesity( AOR, 9.4 [95% CI, 1.9-46.8], P=0.006).