RISK FACTORS OF HEART FAILUR AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN AYDER AND AXUM COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALAZED REFARRAL HOSPITALS, TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA, 2024

Abstract

Background: Heart failure is a chronic condition characterized by the inability of the heart to pump adequate blood to meet the demands of the body and/or doing so at increased filling pressures. The current worldwide magnitude of heart failure is 64.34 million cases. There is a research gap this research was important to assess risk factors heart failure among hypertension patients. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of heart failure among hypertension patients attending in Ayder and Axum Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospitals, Tigray, Ethiopia, in 2024. Methods and materials: An institution-based unmatched case-control study design was conducted, among a total sample size of 176 on clients from December 20, 2024- April 2025. Systematic random sampling was employed. Data were entered into Epidata version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were included in the multivariable logistic regression. A p-value < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval for the adjusted odds ratio were considered statistically significant determinants of heart failure. Ethical clearance was acquired from Mekelle University College of Health Science's ethical review committee. Results: A total of 176 participants (59 cases and 117 controls) were included in the study achieving a 100% response rate. The significant factors for the development of heart failure among hypertension were age group ≥ 60 years (AOR=3.946, 95%CI 1.458-10.675), long duration of HTN (greater than 10 years) (AOR=4.003, 95% CI 1.444-11.098), non-adherencet to diet (AOR=5.023, 95% CI 2.157-11.697), non-adherencet to physical exercise (AOR=6.170, 95% CI 2.599-14.653) and use of alcohol (AOR=3.359, 95%CI 1.408-8.014). Conclusion: Age ≥ 60 years, long duration of HTN (above 10 years), non-adherent to diet, non adherent to physical exercise and alcohol drinking were determinants of heart failure among hypertension patients. Recommendations: Therefore, we recommend that patients should to adhere hypertensive diet and physical exercises. We also recommend that the federal ministry of health to encourage public hospitals to introduce community based hypertension care centers. We also recommend to clients to adhere their hypertensive diet and physical exercises (as ordered by the concerned health professional).