Determining correlation between changes in blood pressure and vitamin D levels: Analyzing influencing factors in hypertensive adults at Family Medicine Clinics.

BACKGROUND

Dietary sodium and renin-angiotensin system activity are pivotal in causing primary hypertension. Vitamin D levels inversely relate to the renin-angiotensin system. Our study investigates the association between vitamin D fluctuations and blood pressure control in hypertensive patients undergoing general health checkups.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study enrolled participants with essential hypertension from family medicine clinics at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, coming for a general health checkup. Data including demographics, Vitamin D levels, blood pressure, factors associated with hypertension, and vitamin D deficiency were noted and analyzed using SPSS 20. Post-stratification chi-square test was applied to check for the association between different categorical variables.

RESULTS

In a study of 203 hypertensive subjects (mean age: 58.07 ± 11 years, 56.2% male, 63.5% Urdu speaking), 41.4% were smokers, and 63.1% had other comorbidities along with hypertension. Significant vitamin D deficiency was observed in 81.8%, with 55.7% exhibiting uncontrolled blood pressure. Vitamin D levels were significantly associated with blood pressure changes, sun exposure, gender, physical activity, and salt restriction. Smoking and obesity are also correlated with blood pressure changes.

CONCLUSION

Pakistan faces significant hypertension and vitamin D deficiency burdens. Our study found a potential link between varying vitamin D levels and blood pressure fluctuations in hypertensive patients, warranting further research.