The Impact of Resting Heart Rate and Hypertension on the Prevalence of Stroke in Sudanese Adults: A Population- Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the effect of elevated resting heart rate (RHR), hypertension (HTN) and associated risk factors on the prevalence of stroke among Sudanese adults.  Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study based on a survey conducted by Sudanese society of hypertension during the May Month of Measurement (MMM), 2018 campaign. Methods: A total of 12281 respondents (mean age: 32.5±14.5 years, 49% men) were included. Structured questionnaires of demographic data, and self-reported medical history were filled by all respondents and analyzed.  Blood pressure and RHR were measured using an Omron BP monitor. Participants were divided into two main cohorts: normotensive (n=9497, 77.3%) and hypertensive (n=2784, 22.7%) participants. Each cohort was then segregated into three sub-cohorts using RHR tertiles (T1: <79 bpm; T2: RHR: 79 to 100 bpm; and T3:>100 bpm). Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the individual and combined effect of RHR and HTN on prevalence of stroke. Hypertensive patients were more likely to develop stroke compared to normotensive participants (OR= 2. 968, 95% CI 2.028-4.345). Within the hypertensive cohort, RHR T3 participants had a significantly increased risk of stroke compared to RHR T1-T2 combined (OR= 2.35, 95% CI1.043-5.323). Individuals of RHR T3 sub-cohort were more likely to be younger, leaner and displayed significantly higher level of both systolic & diastolic blood pressure compared to RHR T1 and T2 groups. Diabetes Mellitus and smoking increased the odds of stroke among both normotensives (OR (95% CI):5.6 (2.24- 14.09), 3.17 (1.71-6.08 respectively), and hypertensives (OR (95% CI): 4.40 (2.26-8.58), 2.03 (0.95-4.32) respectively). Female gender and older age also increases the odds of stroke among hypertensives (OR (95% CI): 1.85 (1.00- 3.45) and 2.00 (1.02- 4.17) respectively.   In conclusion, this study demonstrated that HTN was an independent risk factor of stroke. The effect of elevated RHR on stroke was only prominent when joined to high blood pressure. Prevalence of tachycardia was higher among the young participants which make them more prone to stroke if the condition is associated with HTN. Our results highlight the importance of addressing elevated RHR to reduce the risk of stroke particularly among hypertensive patients.