Abstract

Background and objectives: Hypertension is an established risk factor for atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were detected in hypertensive patients. Recent studies suggest a link between high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and atherosclerosis in hypertension. Growing evidence suggests that vitamin D affects the cardiovascular system The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of hs-CRP to lipid profile, vitamin D and other variables in hypertensive patients in Erbil- Iraq. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on two-hundred adults (130 hypertensives and 70 normotensives). The participants were classified into three groups according to their BP measurements as normotensive (group I), stage I hypertension (group II) and stage II hypertension (group III). Serum hs-CRP, lipid profile, vitamin D levels, and other variables were evaluated in all studied groups. Results: Hs-CRP level was significantly higher in hypertensives as compared to normotensives (P lt;0.001). The means of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly higher, while the mean of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly lower in hypertensives than in normotensives (P lt;0.001). The mean of vitamin D was significantly lower in hypertensives than in normotensives (Plt;0.001). Hs-CRP was positively correlated with TC, TG, and LDL but inversely correlated with HDL and vitamin D. Conclusions: Higher levels of hs-CRP were detected in hypertensive patients than normotensives. The higher hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with higher grades of hypertension. Hs-CRP was positively correlated with lipid profile and inversely correlated with vitamin D .Increased levels of hs-CRP in hypertension may suggest a role of inflammation in hypertension. Hs-CRP estimation may be recommended in evaluation of all hypertensive patients.