Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Arrhythmia Burden in Hypertensive Women: A Cross-sectional Study in a Semi-urban African Community

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in women. Systemic hypertension is the commonest risk factor for CVD, and it frequently coexists with other risk factors in women, thereby increasing the absolute cardiovascular risk. Objective This study set out to study the spectrum of arrhythmia burden and CVD risk factors among hypertensive women. Method This is a cross-sectional study involving 300 hypertensive women and 150 age and sex-matched normotensive women as controls. Participants that met the inclusion criteria were recruited consecutively into the study. Prevalence and pattern of cardiovascular disease risk factors were sought by taking relevant history and examination. Blood was collected for glucose and lipid estimation. Patients underwent 24-hour Holter electrocardiography (ECG) and resting ECG study. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17.0 Chicago Illinois) software. Results The mean age of both groups was similar (57.15±11.58 years for hypertension group and 56.83±13.41 years for controls; p = 0.3967). The prevalence of generalized obesity was significantly higher in the hypertension group, as compared with controls (37.3% vs 22%, p=0.001). The overall prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was significantly higher in the hypertension group (12.33%), compared with controls (4%). 24-hour Holter ECG showed that 176 (59.7%) patients in the hypertension group and 50 (33.3%) control subjects had arrhythmia, with premature ventricular complex being the commonest arrhythmic pattern. Conclusion CVD risk factors and ventricular arrhythmia are more common in women with hypertension. Early risk factor detection and management in hypertensive women is desirable.