Risk Factor Correlation with Diastolic Dysfunction and Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Chronic Cardiovascular Conditions

Abstract

Background: Diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension are significant contributors to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of these conditions and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors in a Saudi Arabian population.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 246 patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions at a secondary care hospital in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Echocardiographic assessments were performed to evaluate left ventricular function, diastolic dysfunction, and pulmonary hypertension. Demographic data and cardiovascular risk factors were collected from medical records.
Results: Diastolic dysfunction was present in 68.3% of patients, with 43.1% showing Grade 1 dysfunction. Pulmonary hypertension was observed in 19.5% of patients. Strong associations were found between diastolic dysfunction and diabetes mellitus (84.1%, p<0.001), hypertension (76.0%, p<0.001), and dyslipidemia (72.4%, p=0.02). Pulmonary hypertension was significantly associated with atrial fibrillation (55.2% of AF patients had PH, p<0.001). Left atrial dilation was observed in 47.1% of patients.
Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions, strongly associated with traditional risk factors. The significant relationship between atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension highlights the complex interplay between cardiac rhythm disturbances and pulmonary vascular disease. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive cardiac evaluation and aggressive risk factor management in high-risk populations