ASSESSMENT AND COMPARISON OF PRE-HYPERTENSION AND ITS DETERMINANTS IN SECOND AND FINAL YEAR STUDENTS OF AIMS & RC, RAJSAMAND

Background: Pre-hypertension is associated with an increased risk of the development of hypertension and subsequent cardiovascular disease and raises mortality risk. Pre-hypertension is emerging health problem in adolescents now a days. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pre-hypertension, to explore the association between pre-hypertension and established cardiovascular risk factors and compare them among second year and final year students of AIMS & RC, Rajsamand.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study a representative sample of 200 participants was selected using a Random sampling method. Pre-hypertension was observed among 73 out of Total 200 students, 31 from second year and 42 final year students, 40 for Boys and 33 for Girls.

Result: The pre-hypertensive group had higher body mass index, higher percentage of smoking, ate more added salt and less physical activity than did the normotensive group. Prevalence of prehypertension was higher among final year students than second year students due to heavy study stress.

Conclusion: Primary prevention strategies should concentrate on reducing overweight and obesity. Diet education should be given to overcome this problem. Stress is another major predictor in medical students so Medical authority should make some strategies to relieve stress in medical students.