Study of biochemical parameters in primary hypertension

Primary hypertension is increasingly common and is associated with significant morbidity. Studies suggest that salt may increase blood pressure not simply by effects on extracellular volume but rather as a consequence of hyperosmolarity. Dietary NaCl intake is related to hypertension prevalence and the age related increase in blood pressure may be augmented by a high NaCl intake. Low dietary calcium and potassium may also contribute to the risk of hypertension.¹

The aim of the present study is to compare and analyse the relation between blood pressure and biochemical parameters in hypertensives and normotensives in Kalaburagi so that it will be a useful predictor of cerebrovascular diseases and coronary artery disease through regular investigations.

The study is undertaken in 50 hypertensives taken as subjects and 50 normotensives taken as control during the academic year 2015–2016 KBNIMS, Kalaburagi with the age range being 40–60 yrs. Ethical committee clearance was taken and consent obtained from all the study subjects. Blood pressure was recorded in the sitting posture in the right arm using mercury sphygmomanometer using both palpatory and auscultatory method. Three readings are taken and the average of the three recordings are obtained. Serum electrolytes and serum calcium are estimated using reagent assay kits from transasia Biomedicals Ltd semiautomated analyser.

In the present study, the mean values of Serum Sodium, Serum Chloride and Serum Uric acid are higher with more significance (p < 0.01) while the mean values of Serum Potassium and Serum Calcium are found to be lower in hypertensives with a higher significance. (p < 0.01). Thus, it can be concluded that in patients of primary hypertension, significant changes are seen in serum electrolytes, serum calcium and serum uric acid which can be used for early detection of hypertensive prone individuals.