7 Continental J. Medical Research 3: 7 - 11, 2009 ISSN: 2141 – 4211 © Wilolud Online Journals, 2009. http://www.wiloludjournal.com A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PLASMA TOTAL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS AMONG UNTREATED ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSIVE AND HEALTHY NON-HYPERTENSIVE NIGERIANS Awusi Vincent Oghenekobaro 1 and Onyeneke E.C 2 1 Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Biochemistry, University Of Benin ABSTRACT The reported co-existence of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia increases the probability of hypertensive patients developing premature ischaemic heart disease which is the commonest cause of sudden death. The aim of the study was to determine significant difference between the plasma total cholesterol (Tc) levels of hypertensive and normotensive subjects and, the coronary risk status of all the subjects. Blood samples, to estimate plasma total cholesterol levels, were obtained from 150 untreated patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension and 150 healthy normotensive controls of comparative ages, sexes and body mass index. The hypertensive patients had significantly higher plasma total cholesterol levels (male = 189±22mg%, female = 198±342mg%) than the normotensive controls (male = 153±18mg%, female = 155±15mg%) (P < 0.05). Eleven (7.3%) of the hypertensives fell within the high coronary risk group (World Health Organization – WHO – classification). It is suggested that hypertension management should include preventative counseling for a healthy lifestyle/diet, and control of plasma lipids and the raised blood pressure. KEYWORDS: Hypertension, Hypercholesterolaemia, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Sudden Death, Preventative Counseling INTRODUCTION Hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia - two independent risk factors in the causation of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) – have been reported to co-exist, independent of confounding variables such as age, sex and body mass index ( Adedeji et al., 1990), (Bamgboye et al., 1990),(Bonna et al., 1991),(Amens, 1991); thus increasing the chances of hypertensive patients developing premature ischaemic heart disease(America Health Foundation, 1989) which is the commonest cause of sudden death(British Cardiac Society Working Group, 1987). Ischaemic heart disease, therefore, should be of primary health concern as it can present first time in a patient as sudden death, which have been reported in the lay press. Since epidemiology of hypertension in Africa has successfully debunked the earlier claim that the blacks in Africa were not sophisticated enough in life-style to be hypertensive, there is reason to research into all facets of hypertension, knowing its effects on microarteries(Edington et al., 1976), consequent atherosclerosis, and eventual morbidity and mortality in middle age and beyond(Edington et al.,1976), (Gordon, 1987); caused by the plaqueing of the intima by poorly metabolized lipids. Ischaemic heart disease is partly a disease of affluence(British Cardiac Society Working Group, 1987). It is becoming more common in societies previously impoverished by history or recent circumstances, as living standard “improve”( British Cardiac Society Working Group, 1987), ( Anderson et al., 1991). Thus the highest socio-economic groups, the urban elite, carry special risks, and with increasing affluence generally, the prevalence of the risk factor becomes higher(Gordon, 1987). The fact that developing countries, such as Nigeria, are experiencing rapid growth in their urban population suggests that there will be a concurrent appearance of large numbers of individuals with moderate risk. This makes the largest contribution to population morbidity