Disadaptive reactions of the cardiovascular system in relation to sleep and coping behavior in students of northern medical institute

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the relation between hemodynamic parameters and coping behavior and sleep in order to maintain health of students of the northern university. Design and methods. We examined 96 students of the northern medical university (61 females). During academic days, we performed ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure (ABPM) 24 h + 10-120 minutes. We analyzed following parameters: mezors of heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and pulse blood pressure (BP), mean BP, Kerdo autonomic index (KI), functional change index (FCI); hypertension time indices of SBP (TI SBP) and DBD (TI DBP) (%), variability of SBP (Var. SBD) and DBD (Var. DBP); night dipping of SBP and DBP (%). We assessed coping behavior. The sleep was assessed using the subjective characteristics of sleep questionnaire and the Epworth sleepiness scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 10.0 and Excel 2013 software. Results. We found optimal/normal values of mean BP and intersexual differences among students. Female students in all periods showed higher rates of HR and sympathetic influences; males had higher SBD, higher TI SBP during day and night, higher SBP variability at night, and tended to develop isolated systolic hypertension. Parameters and dynamics of the vascular component of BP are in normal ranges. We did not find significant intersexual differences in mechanisms of the vascular regulation. Cardiovascular system regulation in males depended on the sleep and coping, and it was more autonomous from behavior in girls. Conclusions. One of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent cardiovascular diseases during the university education is the consistent training of students in adaptive behavior in a situation of psycho-emotional stress and recommendations on sleep hygiene. Greater efficiency of the learning adaptive coping behavior can be expected in males, and male gender is one of the non-modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular pathology.