Pre-Hypertension in Apparently Healthy Young Adults: Incidence and Influence of Haemoglobin Level

INTRODUCTION: Prehypertension is a precursor of clinical hypertension and consequently of the cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have found positive correlation between Haemoglobin Level (Hb) and Blood Pressure (BP). But the presumed association between Hb and BP has not been investigated in healthy young adults. AIM: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of prehypertension and the influence of Hb level on BP in healthy young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study done in 84 apparently healthy undergraduate medical students aged between 18-23 years, of either sex. In study subjects, BP and haemoglobin content was measured. Prehypertension was defined as BP levels of 120 to 139/80 to 89 mm Hg. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired t-test and Pearson correlation Coefficient tests. RESULTS: Incidence of prehypertension was 50%. In 24% of the study subjects both systolic and diastolic BP was in prehypertensive state. In another 26% of study subjects only systolic BP was above normal. There was positive correlation between systolic BP and Hb level (p = 0.0015). CONCLUSION: High incidence of prehypertension especially systolic prehypertension prevails inapparently healthy medical undergraduate students. In them, positive correlation between Hb and systolic BP persists.