Risk Factors of Heart Failure among the Patients Suffering from Hypertension Attending a Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan

Objective: To determine the risk factors of heart failure (HF) in the hypertensive cases attending the cardiology unit of tertiary care Hospital.

Methods: This Case-Control study was conducted from April 2020 to May 2021 at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. One hundred (100) patients of sex - and age -matched pairs were included in the study. Adults clinically diagnosed as cases of Hypertensive heart failure (HF) and individuals having systemic hypertension but no HF (controls) were included in the study. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by the questioner. Assessment of the study variables was done and the data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 26.

Results: A total of one hundred (100) cases and 100 cases as controls were studied. The average age of the study subjects (cases) was 38.4±9.28 years and 38.35±9.04 years of controls. Males were in majority in both groups. Obesity, renal impairment and hypertension in the first degree relative were higher in the hypertensive heart failure in contrast to controls. Average proteinuria and serum creatinine level were higher among study subjects compared to controls (p-<0.05). Medication adherences were considerably higher among the subjects in the control group than in the subjects of case group. Hypertension control group members were more inclined to eat vegetables and fruits on a daily basis, whereas no significant difference was found in the consumption of the salt between the cases and controls. History of anti-hypertensive drugs intake, lower intake of vegetables and fruits, and medication adherence represented the highest levels amongst the risk factors.

Conclusion: In the conclusion of current study, the particular lifestyle, poor dietary habits, medication adherence, and lack of exercise were observed to be the commonest risk factors of heart failure. Awareness programs should be expanded in general and specialty health care settings.