Correlation between Hypertensive Retinopathy and Sever-ity of Coronary Artery Disease in Hypertensive Patients.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Cardiology department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

2 Cardiology department, Al Ahrar Teaching Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Hypertensive retinopathy (HR) reflects systemic microvascular damage, but its role as an independent risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD) severity remains underexplored. Aim: this research aims to investigate the association between degree of hypertensive retinopathy (HR) and retinal arteriosclerosis (AS) with CAD severity in hypertensive patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 hypertensive patients (aged 35–75 years) with angina and confirmed CAD underwent coronary angiography and assessment of the intensity of CAD was assessed by Gensini score and a correlation with fundoscopic examination to assess the severity of hypertensive retinopathy and retinal arteriosclerosis by using Scheie classification was done. Statistical testing included Spearman’s correlation and multivariate linear regression. Results: hypertensive retinopathy and retinal arteriosclerosis stages showed strong positive correlations with CAD severity (rho = 0.72 and 0.65, respectively; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, each hypertensive retinopathy stage increases independently predicted an 8.4-point rise in Gensini score (95% CI: 6.2–10.6; p < 0.001), outperforming traditional risk factors (age, smoking, cholesterol). Conclusion: Hypertensive retinopathy is a strong, independent predictor of CAD severity. Retinal examination may enhance risk stratification in hypertensive patients, offering a non-invasive tool for early CAD detection.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Suez Canal University Medical Journal
Volume 28, Issue 2
February 2025
Pages 6-12

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics