Correlation Of Serum Iron Biomarker and Hypertension in Post-Menopausal Women attending Mararaba Medical Center, North Central Nigeria.

BACKGROUD: Studies suggest that iron levelplayscritical role in determining the severity of some health conditions associated with Post Menopausal Syndromes; One of such health conditions is hypertension.Menopause is a condition characterized by the permanent cessation of menstruation after the age range of 49 to 55. This study is aimed at evaluating the correlation of iron level and hypertension in post-menopausalwomen attending Mararaba Medical Center North Central Nigeria.METHOD: A total of 120 subjects were recruited into the case-control study. The subjects were grouped into post-menopausal women as study group (40) and non-menopausal women as control group (80), giving a ratio of 1:2. The serum iron (Ferratin) level and blood pressure (BP) were determined, using anenzyme linked immunosorbent assay and sphygnanometer respectively.RESULTS:The results show statistically significant level of ferratin, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in post-menopausal subjects, p<0.001, relative to non-menopausal subjects who serves as control. Ferratin (633.69± 3.72), (168.15±3.43), Systolic BP (145.05±1.33), (115.44±0.44), Diastolic BP (106.3±1.69), (79.11±0.49). Significant correlation exists between ferratin iron level and hypertension in post- menopausal women.CONCLUSION:The study suggests that post-menopausal women present with high value of ferratin iron levels and high blood pressure; this represents a positive correlation. Therefore, iron rich food and supplements should be avoided or reduced during menopausal age.