A study of hypertension in hospital.

200 cases of Hypertension were studied in hospital to document its clinical features, biochemical profile and complications. 168 (84%) were diagnosed as Primary hypertension and 32 (16%) as secondary hypertension. The male female ratio in the two groups was similar. The ages were 50.2 ± 7.56 and 48.5 ±6.52 for males and females respectively in the Primary hypertension group and 44.3 ± 5.10 and 39.1 ± 8.99 respectively in the secondary hypertension patients. The proportion of asymptomatic cases was the same in the two groups. Visual symptoms and Orthropnoea were more common in the secondary hypertension group. The various complications /associated problems encountered were Renal Failure 16.5%, cerebrovascular accidents 8%, congestive Cardiac failure 9.5% and Ischaemic Heart Disease 14.5%. The results are compared with reports from else where in Pakistan (JPMA 34 : 4, 1984).