Mild hypertension--a review of 126 cases.
One hundred and twenty-six patients (71 non-diabetics and 55 diabetics) suffering from mild hypertension (Diastolic BP 90-110) have been reviewed. Hypertension was idiopathic in 123 and possible renal causes were considered in 3 cases. Evidence of target organ involvement, either singly or in combination in the form of electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy and ischaemic changes, cardiac enlargement on radiology, cerebrovascular insufficiency, retinopathy and albuminuria in the absence of other pre-disposing causes was present in 28.5% of the patients. The prevalence rate of these complications was higher in the diabetics (34.5%) as compared to non-diabetics (23.9%). These complications occurred in the 4th and 5th decades of life in nearly 80% of these patients. Serum cholesterol was higher in diabetic patients with complications than non-diabetics. Mild hypertension may not be an entirely benign condition and the need for controlled studies to assess the efficacy of anti-hypertensive drugs in this category is stressed.
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged