Blood pressure and pulse rate responses to exercise in students with parental history of hypertension

Background- Hypertension is recognized as a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity. Hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders have a familial predisposition. Previous works have shown that exaggerated cardiovascular response to exercise is a valid risk marker for future hypertension.Aim- To evaluate the blood pressure and pulse rate response to physical exertion in normotensive young adult males with parental history of hypertension.Inclusion Criteria- Male students from I II M.B.B.S in the age group of 18-19 years with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kgm2). Exclusion Criteria- Any acute illness, known Diabetic or Hypertensive, History of chest pain or breathlessness or orthopnea, Physical disability, smokers and Alcoholics. Materials And Methods- A total of sixty healthy normotensive male students from first and second M.B.B.S were chosen for the study. They were classified into two groups based on their parental history of hypertension. Blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded at the base line and during recovery after exercise using bicycle ergometer.Result- The data obtained were statistically analysed using student t test.The study group had increased levels of basal systolic blood pressure, systolic BP immediately after exercise and systolic BP two minutes after exercise compared to the control group.Conclusion- Exercise can reveal the cardiovascular abnormality not present at rest .Thus, exercise testing helps to identify those prone to develop hypertension.