DYSLIPIDEMIA IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED ELDERLY HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS (>60 YEARS) IN A RURAL TEACHING INSTITUTE OF SUBHIMALAYAN REGION

Abstract

Introduction: Elevated lipid levels are associated with the subsequent development of hypertension. However, the role of dyslipidemia in hypertension in the elderly has received little attention. Aim: We evaluated dyslipidemia in newly diagnosed elderly hypertensive patients at Dr RPGMC Kangra at Tanda. Methods: One hundred patients above 60 year of age newly diagnosed with hypertension and presenting to outpatient clinic of Department of Medicine, Dr RPGMC Kangra were included. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21.0 (IBM, USA). Results: Mean age of the patients was 70.9±6.8 years. 52% were males, 61% were taking vegetarian diet, 33% were smokers, 23% were abusing alcohol, and 19% were diabetic. Mean BMI was 23.6±2.4 Kg/m2. 25% had hypercholesterolemia (>230 mg/dl), 22% had triglyceridemia (>160 mg/dl), and 22% had LDL levels more than 120 mg/dl. In this study, non-vegetarian diet and diabetes were significantly associated with increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides while only diabetes was a risk factors for increased LDL. Dyslipidemias were not associated with abnormal findings on ECG and Echo. Conclusion: Non-vegeterian diet and presence of diabetes are risk factors of dyslipidemia among the newly diagnosed elderly patients with hypertension.