Influences on Blood Pressure in University Students

Abstract

During Fall Semester, 2019, and Spring Semester, 2020, we had 287 students participate in a blood pressure measuring exercise. Subjects included both male (n=90) and female (n=197) students from multinational backgrounds and ethnicities. Pressures were measured traditionally and nontraditionally at 8:40 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 6:40 p.m. Data were collected after the students had been instrumented and were lying quietly on a cot for 15-20 minutes (time for baseline data to reach steady state conditions). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly greater in males than in females (P<0.05). Blood pressures were also significantly greater in the 6:40 p.m. group vs either 1:40 p.m. or 8:40 a.m. There was also a quadratic trend for blood pressures to be elevated in the morning group compared with the 1:40 p.m. group. Correlations between both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and BMI were also significant. BMI was a much stronger predictor of systolic (P<0.001) than of diastolic pressure (P<0.05). For every unit increase in BMI, systolic pressure increased 1.1 mmHg, and for each unit increase in BMI, diastolic pressure rose 0.4 mmHg. Results suggest that otherwise healthy young adult university students should be more aware of their blood pressure and the influences of obesity and overweight on it. They should try harder to achieve and maintain healthier lifestyles. This should include, but not be limited to, being more careful with their diets and being physically more active. Students should also avoid/limit unhealthy habits such as smoking, vaping, drinking (alcohol), and consuming caffeinated beverages.