Change in blood pressure levels in college students

Abstract

The aim in this study was to evaluate the pressure levels in college students and their relation with socioeconomic level, lifestyle and biochemical data. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted with 550 students from a public university in Picos- PI, in 2013. A form containing socioeconomic data, lifestyle, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol was applied. We observed elevated blood pressure levels in 21.5% of males and 2.2% of females, with significant representation (p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant association for smoking (p<0.0001) and alcohol consumption (p<0.0001) with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as for waist circumference (p=0.0039). When considering the quality of life for the coming years, it is important to note the need to implement measures that promote changes in lifestyle with the acquisition of healthy habits.