Heart Rate Corrected QT Interval and QT Dispersion in Patients with Uncomplicated Essential Hypertension

Hypertension has become a major health burden globally. The epidemiological transit to the non communicable disease era has shifted our focus to identify the risk factors and complications associated with each disease so that we can tackle the ongoing menace at the earliest. QT interval has long been associated with ventricular arrythmias and sudden cardiac deaths and the association between the QT interval in healthy subjects and diabetics have been extensively studied, but the association between QT interval and newly diagnosed hypertensive patients have been understudied.The study included 100 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who were willing to be a part of the study and providing informed consent whereas patients who were pregnant, below 18 years of age, mental health conditions which could affect their ability to comprehend and respond and patients suffering from any conditions such as myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, acute renal failure (ARF), liver disease, thyroid disorders, malignancy and those on antihypertensive treatment, drugs effecting QT interval were excluded from the study.Mean BMI was 27.17 with max being 43.45 and minimum being 11.75 (Males: 27.41 and females 26.8). Waist circumference in more in females as compared to males whereas the hip circumference was almost same in both males and females. Age wise distribution showed increasing SBP and DBP values with age. Mean SBP and DBP was higher in males as compared to females whereas FBS was more in females as compared to males. QT values were more in the females as compared to males. BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, W/H ratio had a positive correlation with both SBP and DBP.The subjects with hypertension had relatively longer QTc interval and higher prevalence of prolonged QTc interval. Patients presenting in OPD must be looked for QTc and QTd so that risk of developing Arrythmias could be detected at early stages, thereby reducinfgmorbidity and mortality.