Comparison of serum angiotensin II, sodium and potassium levels between normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive young adults of Punjab population, Pakistan

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Hypertension is one of the most common diseases that is affecting large proportion of population worldwide. Exact pathophysiology of this disease is not known. Most of the studies are conducted in middle aged and older subjects. Young adults are overlooked in our country and not given importance because of misunderstanding that hypertension is disease of middle and old age. The major objective of the study was to compare serum angiotensin II, sodium and potassium levels between normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive young adults.

Material and Methods: A total of 589 patients were enrolled in the present study and divided into normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects. This study was conducted at different colleges and universities of Lahore, Pakistan. For enrolment, informed written consent was obtained at start of study. Five ml of venous blood sample was obtained taken from subjects for analysis. Serum angiotensin II levels were estimated by ELISA method. Serum sodium and serum potassium were measured by electrochemical method. Statistical Analysis were performed by SPSS. For comparison, one way ANOVA and post-hoc test were used.

Results: No difference of age was observed between the participants. Serum angiotensin II values (1.22 ± 0.09, 1.28 ± 0.07 and 5.31 ± 0.29) in normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive young adults showed significant difference (p value < 0.05).  The mean level of serum electrolytes; sodium and potassium were also raised in subjects with hypertension compared to normotensive and prehypertensive subjects (p value < 0.05).

Conclusion: Results of the present study revealed that fluid and electrolyte disturbance is implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension disease and angiotensin II is the key factor. Incidence of hypertension can be controlled/delayed by adopting dietary interventions targeting salty diet in young adults.