Copper to Zinc Ratio in Hypertensive Subjects in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Hypertension is a serious medical condition that is increasingly affecting an increasing number of individuals globally. This study investigated the levels of copper and zinc, and the copper/zinc ratio among hypertensive subjects in Port Harcourt. A total of 200 subjects, aged between 30 and 70 years, were involved in the study, comprising 100 hypertensive subjects and 100 apparently healthy control subjects. Five (5ml) of venous blood were collected from each subject and put into plain bottle for the determination of copper and zinc using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The data generated were analyzed using SPSS version 23. The mean copper levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive subjects compared to the control, as well as the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. Zinc levels were significantly lower in the hypertensives. The levels of these parameters were significantly higher in male hypertensives compared to the female subjects. The results from this study show that there is an increased level of copper and copper/zinc ratio in hypertension, and these increases are more in male hypertensive subjects than in female hypertensive subjects. The assessment of the levels of copper and zinc, and copper/zinc ratio in hypertension is recommended in order to help in the management of the condition.