Prehypertensive state, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors among young adults in rural Malaysia

• Main Authors: Abdullah, Aszrin, Mohd Shah, Azarisman Shah, Ab Rahman, Jamalludin, Mohd Noor, Noriah, Abdul Razak, Tariq
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IIUM Press 2015
• Subjects: QP Physiology; R Medicine (General); RC Internal medicine
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/110988/1/110988_Prehypertensive%20state.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/110988/; https://journals.iium.edu.my/kom/index.php/imjm/article/view/1408

Introduction: Hypertension is an important risk factor for Cardiovascular Disease in Malaysia. Hypertension prevalence is at 42.6% and population-based control is poor at 26.8%. Objective: The objective of the study is to ascertain the cardiovascular risk profile of prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive young adults against age-matched controls in rural Malaysia. Methodology: 484 subjects attending primary care clinics were screened, 91 young adults with pre/mild hypertension and normotensive, age-matched controls were enrolled. The blood pressure and biochemical profiles for both groups were assessed and compared. Results: Fifty-four subjects and 37 controls were enrolled. Amongst subjects, 46.3% had prehypertension and 53.7% had mild hypertension. Mean values compared to age-matched controls for MAP were 102.68 - 7.48 vs 83.25 - 6.08 mmHg (p<0.001), LDL 3.75 t 0.95 vs 3.32+ 0.93 mmol/L (p-0.03), FBS 4.65 t 0.54 vs 4.33 t 0.42 mmol/L (p=0.03), BMI 28.81 + 5.16 vs 24.12 + 4.91 (p< 0.001). The mean BP was significantly associated with BMI, FBS, triglycerides HDL and the TC/HDL ratio Conclusions: Greater BMI, FBG, HDL, triglyceride levels and TC/HDL ratio characterised the young adults with pre/mild hypertension. The data suggests that hypertension in young adults is secondary to metabolic syndrome.