PLASMA-FIBRINOGEN LEVELS, LEUKOCYTE AND PLATELET COUNTS IN MALE ZIMBABWEAN HYPERTENSIVES

Plasma fibrinogen levels, leucocytes and platelets are among the many factors known to influence haemostasis. Impaired haemostatic processes in hypertension are thought to contribute to the other cardiovascular diseases seen in this condition. This study compares the level of pla sma fibrinogen, and leucocyte and platelet counts between 17 male hype rtensives and 24 male normotensives. The results for the hypertensives were: leucocyte count mean 5,45 x 10(9)/L, platelet count mean 234,7 x 10(9)/L, and plasma fibrinogen 4,13 g/L. The results for the normote nsives were: leucocyte count mean 4,83 x 10(9)/L, platelet-count mean 222,9 x 10(9)/L, and plasma fibrinogen 3,27 g/L. The hypertensives had higher plasma fibrinogen levels, and leucocyte and platelet counts co mpared to the normotensives, but this only reached statistical signifi cance for the plasma fibrinogen levels (p<0,025).