Evaluation of Selected Hematological and Biochemical Parameters among Hypertensive Subjects Attending the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Nigeria
Ogechi Orluowhor *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Benjamin Eledo
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Richard Eze
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor that may be associated with alterations in cardiac biomarkers, haematological parameters, lipid metabolism, vascular function, and inflammatory responses. Assessing haematological and biochemical parameters may therefore provide useful information about the systemic effects and possible complications of hypertension.
Aim: This study evaluated selected haematological and biochemical parameters among hypertensive subjects attending Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Nigeria, and compared the findings with those of normotensive controls.
Materials and Methods: This comparative study included 100 participants: 50 hypertensive subjects and 50 normotensive controls. Each group included 20 males and 30 females, aged 20–50 years. We evaluated troponin I, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and haematological parameters using standard methods. GraphPad Prism was used for statistical analysis. We compared results between the two groups using an independent-samples t-test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Troponin I concentration was significantly higher among hypertensive subjects than in controls. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol did not differ significantly between the groups. Similarly, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, and RBC count did not differ significantly between hypertensive subjects and controls (p > 0.05). However, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were significantly higher among hypertensive subjects. Platelet count and total WBC count were also significantly higher in the hypertensive group (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: These findings highlight the value of combined haematological and biochemical assessment for evaluating and monitoring patients with hypertension. Such assessments may provide useful information on cardiovascular risk, haematological and metabolic alterations, and hypertension-associated factors.
Keywords: Hypertension, cardiac troponin I, lipid profile, haematological parameters