Cardiovascular risk in overweight/obese and lean hypertensive patients.
BACKGROUND
Obesity and hypertension have been identified as independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, the role of obesity in the development and progression of target-organ disease in hypertensive patients is controversial. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of body weight on cardiovascular risk factors, target-organ disease and global cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients in a primary care setting.


METHODS
A cross-sectional observational study was carried in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal (n=150). A detailed medical and personal history was obtained and a physical examination was performed. Venous blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected, and an electrocardiogram was performed. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham score. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS(®). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
The sample was 71.8% female, with a mean age of 74.3 ± 10.8 years. The prevalence of obesity was 29.5%. Overweight/obese subjects presented lower mean HDL cholesterol (51.2 ± 13.9 mg/dl vs. 65.4 ± 35.2, p<0.005), higher triglycerides (137.8 ± 70.4 mg/dl vs. 111.5 ± 68.8 mg/dl, p<0.001), higher fasting glucose (111.9 ± 32.8 mg/dl vs. 98.4 ± 13.1 mg/dl, p<0.011) and more frequent mild valve disease (57.9% vs. 29.6%, p=0.021). Global cardiovascular risk was also significantly higher (10.9 ± 7.7 vs. 6.5 ± 5.7, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Overweight and obesity appear to be related to a less favorable lipid and blood glucose profile and higher cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients. On the basis of our findings we suggest strict metabolic monitoring and improved education on weight reduction and control at primary health care clinics.
GABBA Program, Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, Portugal; Department of Social Sciences and Health, Family Medicine Unit, University of Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: ana.luisa.neves@gmail.com.
Ana Luísa
AL
Neves
Department of Social Sciences and Health, Family Medicine Unit, University of Porto, Portugal.
Luciana
L
Couto
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications*; D018570:Risk Assessment
Arterial hypertension; Cardiovascular risk; Excesso de peso; Hipertensão arterial; Obesidade; Obesity; Overweight; Risco cardiovascular