Serum Cholesterol Binding Reserve in Hypertension: Its Role in Atherogenesis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:
Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for atherogenesis( 1). Raised level of serum cholesterol is another risk factor(2). The interrelationship of hypertension and serum lipid profile is not well established, but combined together, they lead to accelerated atherosclerosis and its various lethal complications (3).

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

One hundred and two patients were taken for the study from amongst those admitted to this centre. They were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 56 patients of mild and moderate essential hypertension diagnosed on the criteria laid by WHO (7).All patients were subjected to detailed clinical examination and routine investigations to rule out secondary hypertension. All the hypertensive’s were then shifted randomly to aiphamethyl dopa (500-2000 mg/day) or and clonidine (150-400 mg/day) for 4 weeks for controlling blood pressure. Samples for serum cholesterol estimation were drawn after the end of that period. Samples from control group were also collected.

DISCUSSION:

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is major vascular sequalae of hypertension and coronary heart disease is the most common such outcome( 1). Increased blood pressure as a mechanical factor is evidently a critical factor in atherogenesis(9).SCBR has been shown to be significantly diminished in myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus (4,6). This has also been shown to be diminished in obesity and smokers (17).