A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY TO ESTIMATE THE PREVALENCE OF PREHYPERTENSION AMONG MBBS STUDENTS

Context: Blood Pressure guidelines to pre-hypertension defines it as systolic blood pressure of 120-139mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89mmHg in adults. Aim: To estimate the burden of prehypertension among MBBS Students admitted at Tertiary care centre in India. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted at tertiary care centre in India, among 350 MBBS students (academic year 2015-2018) and 50 interns (academic year 2014) of Maharaja Agrasen Medical College (MAMC), Agroha, Hisar, Haryana. Blood pressure of all subjects was measured. A total of three readings were recorded and the lowest of three readings was taken. Statistical analysis: Data was entered into MS excel sheet and prevalence was calculated accordingly. Results: The overall prevalence of prehypertension among MBBS students came out to be 44.25%, while none of the study subject was hypertensive in this study. The students hailed from urban and rural background. It was seen that maximum prevalence (52%) of prehypertension was among third year MBBS students. Conclusion: Subjects at risk of pre hypertension need proper evaluation and appropriate management to prevent serious, long term complications. If the rise in BP with age could be prevented or diminished, much of hypertension, cardiovascular, renal diseases and stroke might be prevented.