# Hypertension Types and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Lithuanians Aged 50–54 Years

## TL;DR

This study found that nearly half of middle-aged Lithuanians have high blood pressure, often alongside other health risks like high cholesterol and diabetes.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into hypertension types and associated cardiovascular risk factors in a specific middle-aged Lithuanian population.

## Key findings

- Almost 50% of middle-aged Lithuanians had arterial hypertension.
- Dyslipidaemia was present in over 90% of patients with both non-resistant and resistant hypertension.
- Resistant hypertension was found in 4.1% of patients and was associated with higher rates of diabetes.

## Abstract

Background: Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular risk factors worldwide. Additionally, epidemiological studies show a worryingly high prevalence of treatment-resistant hypertension. Especially concerning is the frequent co-occurrence of other cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidaemia, smoking, and diabetes mellitus. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients aged 50–54 years. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients participating in the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk Primary Prevention Programme. Data were collected from self-report questionnaires, laboratory tests, and clinical assessment. Hypertension was confirmed if systolic blood pressure was ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure was ≥90 mmHg or the patient had been previously diagnosed. Results: In total, 49155 patients—32018 (62.4%) women and 17137 (37.6%) men—were enrolled in this study. A total of 24549 (49.9%) patients were diagnosed with arterial hypertension. The prevalence of non-resistant primary hypertension was 45.9%, while the prevalence of resistant primary hypertension was 4.1%. The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 92.79% in the non-resistant primary arterial hypertension group and was 94.59% in the resistant primary arterial hypertension group. The prevalence of smoking was higher in the non-resistant primary arterial hypertension group compared to patients with resistant hypertension (22.43% and 17.09%, respectively). A total of 23.06% of patients with resistant primary arterial hypertension had diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: The prevalence of primary arterial hypertension in middle-aged Lithuanians was high, reaching almost 50% in both sexes. Patients tended to have many cardiovascular risk factors simultaneously, with dyslipidaemia being the most common (prevalence > 90%).