Abstract

INCIDENCE OF HYPERTENSION IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS IN A SOUTH INDIAN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

*Dr. S. Chandra Babu, Purushothama Reddy K. and Mallesh M.

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the incidence of Hypertension in the geriatric patients attending a tertiary Care teaching hospital. A prospective observational study was conducted between July 2013 and June 2014 in Department of General Medicine at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical sciences (RIMS) an 800 bedded hospital, Kadapa. A total of 462 patients were studied in one year, out of 462, male patients were 203 (43.93%) and female patients were 259 (56.06%), age group of 60-69 years were more (43.72%) and above 80 years were least (15.35%), most of the patients were identified as illiterate (85.06%). 5-10 years disease duration consists higher population (48.21%) and least (6.4%) was observed in 20 years and above of disease duration. Major risk factors were identified as sedentary life style, alcohol consumption, diet (excess salt intake), cigarette smoking and minor risk factor as hereditary. Target organ damage like stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and peripheral vasculature were observed. Blood pressures with systolic and diastolic elevations were recorded more (51.94%). Monotherapy was highly observed followed by double therapy and triple therapy was seen less, medication compliance was observed only in fewer patients (16.58%). HTN incidence was observed as 34.96%. Geriatric patients are vulnerable to the chronic ailments they should be provided with utmost medical care by providing the appropriate medical, lifestyle and supportive circumstances.

Keywords: Hypertension, Geriatrics, End organ damage, Morbidity.