INCIDENCE OF PREHYPERTENSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU

Abstract : Introduction - Prevalence of hypertension in adults and the complications thereafter are well known. Recently, the incidence of hypertension and the resultant cardiovascular complications in youth are alarmingly high, due to modern lifestyle involving physical inactivity, junk food, fast transport facilities etc. Aim and Objective - The present study involves recording of Blood pressure in adolescents and detecting the incidence of prehypertension among them so as to take adequate preventive measures for reducing the occurrence of hypertension in their early adulthood. Materials and Methods - 456 High school children aged 14 to 18 years from schools in and around Tirunelveli city were chosen, after getting informed consent from school authorities concerned. The Blood pressures (both Systolic and Diastolic) were recorded using the standard technique- auscultatory method using sphygmomanometer with due precautions. Proforma was obtained for information regarding age, sex, height, weight, physical activity, etc. Results - Data regarding age, sex, blood pressure and BMI were analysed as per SPSS version 13. 90th percentile value for blood pressure is found both for systolic and diastolic blood pressures.Blood pressure more than 90th percentile is considered to be abnormal in adolescents. Out of 456students, 410 students are found to have normal blood pressure while 46 of them are found to have higher value (prehypertension). Discussion and conclusion - Earlier reports indicate approximate 1-2 percentage of adolescents develop consistent elevated blood pressure. The common causes attributed are physical inactivity, eating junk food, besides hormonal changes in adolescents. The results of our study indicate that 46 out 456 students examined are having more than 90th percentile - this figure falls well within the reports given already.