Secondary Hypertension in the Libyan population: A Descriptive Analysis of Underlying Causes and Patient Outcomes

Hypertension is the predominant modifiable risk factor for all-cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approximately 10% of hypertension patients have secondary causes that can be treated. This study aims to describe the causes, presenting symptoms and clinical outcomes of secondary hypertension patients attending the hypertension clinic at Tripoli University Hospital (TUH). This was a retrospective descriptive analysis of data collected from all adult patients with secondary hypertension followed up at the hypertensive clinic at TUH from 01/01/2020 to 31/12/2024. Secondary hypertension was defined as “elevated blood pressure, which is secondary to an identifiable cause. There were 82 secondary hypertension patients. There were 32 males (39%) and 50 females (60%), with a mean age of 45 years (range: 19–73 years). Secondary hypertension caused by renal disease ranked first and accounted for almost 44% of cases. This is followed by hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome rates of approximately 15% and 10%, respectively. Among the 26 patients with endocrine causes, 20 (77%) were women. While 5 (62%) of the 8 obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients were men, 44 (53.6%) of the total number of study patients had improved or reversed blood pressure after treatment for the underlying cause. Renal diseases are the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Secondary causes of hypertension are common and, in certain instances, potentially reversible. It is recommended that hypertensive patients be screened for secondary hypertension and that the underlying condition be addressed to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular complications.