Inclusion Criteria

Patients were classified into four groups according to their blood pressure level:

· Group 1 with mild hypertension (systolic BP: 140 - 159 mmHg, diastolic BP: 90 - 99 mmHg)

· Group 2 with moderate hypertension (systolic BP: 160 - 179 mmHg, diastolic BP: 100 - 109 mmHg)

· Group 3 with severe hypertension (systolic BP: ≥180 mmHg, diastolic BP: ≥110 mmHg)

· Group 4 with normal BP level as a control group

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with secondary hypertension and/or with

· Heart failure

· Valvular heart disease

· Cardiomyopathy with left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%

· Cerebrovascular stroke or transient ischemic attacks

· Renal failure

· Endocrinal diseases

· Cancer

· Pregnancy