Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with markedly elevated blood pressure or hypertensive crises in primary care, Valencia, Venezuela, 2025

• Carlos Luis Garcia Reyes

  Universidad de Carabobo. Valencia, Venezuela

  https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5262-4893

• Mariángela García González

  Centro Médico de Caracas. Caracas, Venezuela

  https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7433-5529

• Mario José Da Silva Gonzalez

  Universidad de Carabobo. Valencia, Venezuela

  https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3321-2552

• Isabella Valentina Rodriguez Venegas

  Hospital Universitario Periférico Dr Miguel Ángel Rangel

  https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2424-0551

General Objective: To characterize the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients presenting with markedly elevated blood pressure or hypertensive crises at a primary care center in Valencia, Venezuela, applying the American Heart Association (AHA) 2024 criteria. Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted at the "Dr. José Gregorio Hernández" Urban Ambulatory Clinic (January–March 2025). A sample of 120 patients ≥18 years with BP ≥140/90 mmHg at admission was evaluated. Sociodemographic, clinical, and adherence variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis (Chi-square and Odds Ratio). Results: The mean age was 65.7 ± 12.5 years, with a notable female predominance (73.3%) and a 65.9% prevalence of overweight/obesity. Although 85% had a prior diagnosis of hypertension, 83.3% presented with asymptomatic markedly elevated blood pressure, and only 16.7% met the criteria for hypertensive emergency. The most frequent symptoms were headache (27.5%), dizziness (21.7%), and muscle weakness (11.7%). Bivariate analysis showed no statistically significant associations between sex (p=0.20), IMC (p=0.90) or therapeutic adherence (p=1.00) and the type of crisis. Conclusions: The predominant profile is that of an older female with known hypertension and insufficient control. The prevalence of asymptomatic elevations over true emergencies emphasizes the need to strengthen outpatient management. This study represents the first Venezuelan baseline evidence under AHA 2024 guidelines, essential for redesigning prevention strategies at the primary care level.

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Copyright (c) 2026 Carlos Luis Garcia Reyes , Mariángela García González, Mario José Da Silva Gonzalez , Isabella Valentina Rodriguez Venegas

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

ISSN:2244-7857

Depósito Legal: ppi200902CA3925