Introduction:

Hypertension is a disease characterized by sustained elevation of blood pressure. Its appearance at an early age has doubled in recent years, therefore an increase in vascular complications related to it is expected, such as the manifestation of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, hypertensive nephropathy, preeclampsia, eclampsia. Associated risk factors of great influence, such as family pathological history, among others, are related to its appearance.

Objective:

To determine the clinical characteristics of hypertensive patients under 50 years of age at the Hospital Nacional of Itauguá, Paraguay, in the period 2020-2021.

Methodology:

Observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional, analytical study that included 150 male and female patients with arterial hypertension under 50 years of age.

Results:

The average age of the sample was 39 years, with a range between 15-50 years, the majority came from the urban area, and had secondary education level. There was a predominance of women (52%), however, vascular complications were more frequent in men. Vascular complications were detected in 89%, predominantly stroke (26%), hypertensive retinopathy (24%) and hypertensive nephropathy (22.6%). Most of the patients had associated cardiovascular risk factors, the main ones being sedentary lifestyle and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as a family pathological history of high blood pressure.

Conclusion:

The main complications were cerebrovascular accident (26%), hypertensive retinopathy (24%) and hypertensive nephropathy (22.6%). Early detection and timely treatment of young hypertensive patients is recommended.

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