Differences by age and marital status in hypertensive patients in Enugu

Hypertension is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is known to increase with age across all populations. Lipid abnormalities often co-occur with hypertension, further compounding cardiovascular risk. This study assessed the influence of age and marital status on lipid profiles among hypertensive patients in Enugu, Nigeria. A total of 70 hypertensive patients aged 30–70 years receiving treatment at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital were enrolled. Demographic data, including age and marital status, were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured, and fasting lipid profiles—including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)—were analyzed from serum samples using standard laboratory methods. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficients. The study population consisted of 54.3% married women (n=38), 30.0% married men (n=21), and 15.7% unmarried individuals (n=11). Married men had significantly lower HDL levels (0.857 ± 0.183 mmol/L) compared to married women (1.021 ± 0.243 mmol/L; p=0.015). Among married men, diastolic blood pressure showed a significant positive correlation with total cholesterol (r=0.468, p<0.05) and LDL cholesterol (r=0.438, p<0.05). The findings suggest that marital status, particularly among men, may influence lipid metabolism in hypertensive individuals. Married men exhibited lower HDL levels and a significant association between diastolic blood pressure and both total cholesterol and LDL, indicating a potentially heightened cardiovascular risk profile.