Journal of CardioVascular Insights

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated some coagulation parameters of Primary hypertensive subjects to evaluate the effects of the disease on these parameters as well as age and gender based variations among the subjects.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 76 known hypertensive subjects between 30 – 70 years attending the Cardiology clinic of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada. Another 37 normotensive subjects between 30 – 65 years served as the control. All subjects gave their consents. Prothrombin Time Test, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Test and Platelets count were determined following standard protocols.

Results: Results for Hypertensive and Control subjects were: Prothrombin, 14.10±1.677 and 10.86±0.71 seconds, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, 36.39±6.23 and 24.86±2.83 seconds, Platelet count, 248.7552.45 x10⁹/l and 284.95±27.66 x10⁹/l respectively. There was significant increase (P˂0.05) in Prothrombin time, international normalized ratio and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, while Platelet was significantly decreased when compared with control. Across male and female genders, Prothrombin time, international normalized ratio and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, were significantly higher among the test subjects when compared with the control subjects; while Platelet count was significantly lower (P˂0.05). the increase in Prothrombin time, international normalized ratio and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time was more pronounced among the male hypertensive subjects. Also, the reduction in platelets count was more pronounced among the male hypertensive subjects.

Conclusion: These variations suggest possible haemostatic system dysfunction with regard to coagulation and thrombosis. Hence, there is need for constant monitoring to avoid haemostatic complications and to aid early and timely management of the patients. Platelets count, Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) investigations should be used as prognostic indices for evaluating hypertensive patients for effective management.