Key result
Examination stress linked to ~13-bpm higher heart rate alongside elevated blood pressure and inflammatory markers.
Why the study?
Examination stress is a common psychological stressor that influences autonomic, cardiovascular, and hematological responses through sympathetic activation and hormonal shifts.
Does examination stress increase cardiovascular and hematological parameters in undergraduate students?
Cross-Sectional (n=150)
Simple random sampling
No
Does examination stress increase cardiovascular and hematological parameters in undergraduate students?
Mean Difference: 12.8
Absolute Event Rate: 89.6% vs 76.8%
p-value: p=<0.001
Acute academic stress prior to examinations significantly elevates cardiovascular workload and sympathetic-driven inflammatory markers, including the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, in healthy young adults.
Acute examination stress was associated with transient HR, BP, and NLR rises; hypothesis-generating for autonomic effects and requires prospective validation before clinical consideration.
Background: Examination stress is a common psychological stressor among students and has been shown to influence autonomic, cardiovascular, and hematological responses. Acute academic stress triggers sympathetic activation and hormonal shifts (cortisol, catecholamines), which may produce transient but measurable physiological alterations.
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Purnima Malviya (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Acute psychological stress (n=150). Examination stress vs. Baseline (non-stress period 2-3 weeks prior to exams) was evaluated on Heart Rate (bpm) (MD 12.8, p=<0.001). Examination stress significantly increased heart rate by a mean of 12.8 bpm and elevated blood pressure, alongside inducing neutrophilia and an increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.
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