Sustained hypertension significantly linked to end organ damage (EOD) of the heart in rural Tanzanian elderly

A study in two rural Tanzanian villages examined elderly adults aged 70 and above for hypertension and prevalence of end organ damage (EOD). EOD, which can occur as a result of sustained and uncontrolled hypertension, affects areas of the body such as the heart, brain, eyes, kidneys, and extremities. 246 participants were assessed thrice within a 6 year follow-up period.

The study found that just over half of the participants displayed sustained hypertension (52%). The common EOD between hypertension grade I (≥140/90 mmHg) and grade II (≥160/100 mmHg) was left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) of the heart, which was significantly higher in sustained hypertensives than in non-sustained hypertensives. Increasing age was also linked to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the extremities and proteinuria. For detailed information about this study, read more here.