Study of blood pressure, pre-hypertension, and hypertension in medical students

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a non-communicable disease of major public health problem, and pre-HTN in adolescents and young adults is an important risk factor for developing HTN in the future. By detecting pre-HTN earlier, some remedial measures may be adopted to prevent HTN. Aims and Objectives: To study normal blood pressure (BP), HTN, and pre-HTN in medical students studying at Government Medical College. Materials and Methods: A total of 222 medical students from three different professionals (MBBS) of Government Medical College were taken, interviewed with a predesigned questionnaire, and physical examination including BP measurement conducted. Results: About 164 students (73.9%) had normal BP and 58 students (26.1%) were pre-hypertensive, there was no case of HTN. Out of 117 male students, 39 (33.3%) and out of 105 female students, 19 (18.1%) were pre-hypertensives. No one had a current smoking habit of any type. There was no smokeless tobacco habit also, and one student had a past history of smoking. Only one had current alcohol habit. Passive tobacco exposure risk was present in 7 students. Conclusion: Mean systolic BP was 115.37 ± 8.21 and mean diastolic BP was 75.70 ± 7.00. If smoking or smokeless tobacco habit is less or nil, there is less chance of developing HTN or pre-HTN.