Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Changes in Cameroonian Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

High blood pressure is a major cardiovascular risk factor. It has repercussions on the heart, which can be easily assessed by non-invasive examinations. The objective of this study was to describe electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities in hypertensive patients under follow up at the Ngaoundere Regional Hospital, (Cameroon). The study was analytical and cross-sectional in nature. It was carried out at the Ngaoundere Regional Hospital (Cameroon). All known adult hypertensive patients who had a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography done during their follow up were included in the study. The study population consisted of 200 hypertensive patients. The mean age of the patients was 59±1.6 years with extremes of 25 and 85 years. Of all the ECGs performed, a total of 94% had abnormal findings. The most frequent electrocardiographic abnormalities were cardiac arrhythmias (53.5%), and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (22%). Overall, 91% of the cardiac echography performed had abnormal findings most of which were ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement. In conclusion: a wide variety of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities are diagnosed in the hypertensive patient in our environnement. None of them should be neglected. They all present, although to varying degrees, an interest in the orientation and organization of the therapeutic strategy of patients with hypertension. The use of ECG and echocardiography for this purpose should be encouraged in resource-limited areas.