Hypertension, a chronic medical condition is commonly seen in young people in my environment. Certain risk factors are associated with the development of this condition. They include a positive family history of hypertension, being overweight /obese, excessive alcohol intake, cigarette smoking and high salt intake. The role of micro-RNA, GRK2, CaMKIV and PIA2 are obvious in the aetio-pathogenesis of hypertension. This study was conducted to find out which of these factors have effect on hypertension on young people.
Methods
One hundred and fifty one young people diagnosed with essential hypertension (new cases) over a one year period January to December 2013 were recruited from patients attending the general outpatient clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Their age, sex, tribe, occupation and marital status were assessed. Risk factors like cigarette smoking, significant alcohol intake, adding salt to meals before eating, family history of hypertension and history of diabetes mellitus, weight, height, body mass index, hip circumference, waist circumference and blood pressure were assessed.
Results
A total of 151 respondents (n=151) were recruited into the study.48 respondents had stage 1 hypertension JNC 7 classification while 103 had stage 2 hypertension JNC 7 classification. More women had hypertension n=84(55.6%). Respondents with secondary level of education had more stage 1 hypertension JNC 7 classification while those respondents with tertiary education had more stage 2 hypertension JNC 7 classification. Married respondents had more of stage 2 hypertension JNC 7 classification n=56(54.4%) than