A Clinical Study of Essential Hypertension

A clinical study was performed on 322 cases of essential hypertension observed at Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womens University Hospital, during a period of 6 years, from 1971 to 1976. The results were as follows: 1) The annual incidence of hypertensive patients in all medical inpatients was 6.2%. The annual incidence was not very different, but the number of hypertensive patients seemed to increase annually. 2) The highest occurrence was observed in the 6th decade in man, and the 5th decade in woman. Male to female ratio was 1.3:1. 3) In systolic pressure, a mild hypertension level was most frequent with 38.8%, and in diastolic pressure, moderate hypertension with 38.2%. 4) The most frequent symptom was headache (55.6%), followed by dyspnea, dizziness and nausea-vomiting. Symptoms were more frequently seen in the age group under 59. 5) Retinopathy was noted in 51.9%, in which K-W grade II was the most frequent. In relation to blood pressure, the higher the blood pressure the more severe the retinal changes. 6) Proteinuria was noted in 50.0% and the higher the blood pressure the more severe the proteinuria. 7) Serum cholesterol levels were most frequent in 150-199mg%, and there is no correlation between the level of erum cholesterol and blood pressure. 8) The BUN level which was above 20mg% was found in 35.6%, and the higher the blood pressure the more severe the high level of BUN. 9) Abnormal ECG findings were noted in 71.0%, in which left ventricular hypertrophy was 40.0%. Left ventricular hypertrophy and ST, T wave changes were more frequently found in higher blood pressure. 10) The incidence of LVH was more frequent on ECG than cardiomegaly on roentgenogram. 11) Complications developed in 27.9%, and cerebrovascular accidents(22.0%) were most frequent. 12) Overall mortality during the last 6 years was 2.8%(9cases). Causes of death were cerebrovascular accidents(88.9%) and diabetes mellitus(11.1%).