Clinical characteristics of two groups commonly referred to an Irish hypertension service—patients with resistant hypertension and young adults with hypertension

Abstract

Background: The management of hypertension is primarily performed in primary care settings in many health systems. However, two groups of patients often require specialist input: patients with resistant hypertension (RH) and young adults with hypertension.

Aims: To elucidate these groups by examining the characteristics of patients attending an Irish hypertension service, thus informing future management of hypertension.

Methods: Patients were recruited at consecutive hypertension clinics at St James Hospital, Dublin from July to September 2019. Following patient consent, patient data were recorded to identify patient characteristics as well as the results of investigations, blood pressure (BP) measurements and the anti-hypertensive treatment of the study participants which were then analysed.

Results: Two hundred thirty-six patients were included in the study. Compared to those without RH, the RH group were more likely to be obese (OR 2.59 [95% CI 1.06 to 6.33]), to have cardiovascular disease (OR 3.07 [95% CI 1.56 to 6.02]) and to have a non-dipping BP pattern (OR 3.86 [95% CI 1.57 to 9.47]). Young adults comprised 27% of the cohort. Forty-seven percent of these patients were obese, 15.9% had hypertension in pregnancy and 22.2% had chronic headaches. Despite being prescribed less anti-hypertensives (1.41 vs 2.28; p < 0.05), the majority of young patients had a BP less than 140/90 mmHg, comparing favourably with older patients (OR 2.25 [95% CI 1.20 to 4.27]).

Conclusion: This contemporary study highlights the high prevalence of obesity among RH patients and young adults with hypertension. Findings suggest that programs to combat hypertension must include interventions to address obesity.