Prevalence and Association of Hypertension with the Different Components of the Metabolic Syndrome

pp 274-279

Abstract

Background
Hypertension coexists with other cardiovascular risk factors, especially obesity and dyslipemia; this association increases the risk particularly in patients with established heart disease. For this reason, the identification and control of these factors is essential for the global management of hypertensive patients.

Objectives
To assess the prevalence of hypertension and its association with the different components of the metabolic syndrome.

Material and Methods

We included 975 subjects (37±9 years, 62% were men) without demonstrable heart disease. Metabolic syndrome variables were those defined by the ATP III-IDF according to gender: waist circumference ≥102/88 cm, LDL-cholesterol level ≤40/50 mg/dl, glucose blood level and triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl. Subjects were grouped by gender and classified as hypertensive (JNC 7), with blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg, non hypertensive and controls.The frequency of each variable of the metabolic syndrome was established in hypertensive subjects and the prevalence of hypertension was determined for each variable.

Results
There were 114 hypertensive men that were compared to 495 controls: age: 42±10 versus 36±9 years, waist circumference ≥102 cm: 31% versus 15%, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl: 33% versus 20%, glycemia ≥100 mg/dl: 30% versus 4%; p<0.001 for all the variables. We found 35 women with hypertension that were compared to 331 non-hypertensive women: age 43±9 versus 35±8 years, and waist circumference ≥88 cm: 49% versus 15%; both, p<0.001. The prevalence of hypertension among all men was 19%; 32% in those with a waist circumference of ≥102; 28% with triglycerides 150; 63% with glycemia of ≥100; p<0.03 for all versus general. Among all women, the prevalence of hypertension was 11%, 25% in those with a waist circumference of ≥88; p<0.0008. Multivariate analysis showed that age, glucose blood levels ≥100 mg/dl, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl and a waist circumference ≥102/88 cm are independent predictors of hypertension.

Conclusions

The components of the metabolic syndrome are more frequent among subjects with hypertension. In addition, they determine a greater prevalence of hypertension, particularly in men.