2022, Supplement 3
Cardiovasc Metab Sci 2022; 33 (S3)
Kidney and heart damage associated with high blood pressure: strategies for early detection in primary care settings
Palomo-Piñón, Silvia; González-Coronado, Vidal José; Antonio-Villa, Neftalí Eduardo
ABSTRACT
High blood pressure (HBP) is a highly prevalent metabolic condition in the Mexican population that produces multisystem involvements with heterogeneous effects among individuals. In the long term, the complex relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors promotes the development of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD). A critical associated complication is the cardiorenal effect related to HBP, which leads to a high burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart damage. Hence, the importance of promptly identifying cardiorenal impairments at early stages of the disease within primary care (PC) personnel. This work aims to point out the early diagnosis strategies for kidney and heart damage in patients with HBP to systematize their search in a PC setting. A moderate decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the presence of any degree of albuminuria are excellent markers for screening kidney damage. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) assessed with either an electrocardiogram (EKG) or echocardiography had well-defined criteria and validated indexes to identify cardiac damage. Finally, a severe complication is heart failure (HF), which needs to be fundamentally based on clinical and EKG findings. A correct interpretation of an EKG makes an accurate diagnosis in 75% of patients living with HF. The proper implementation of these strategies in a PC scenario is crucial to identify cardiorenal impairments and reduce the long-term incidence of ASCVD in the Mexican population.