High blood pressure risk factors in a community of students in the south area of Puerto Rico.

INTRODUCTION: The south area of Puerto Rico has a high density of a college student population. This population is exposed to a series of hypertension risk factors, for instance: they are exposed to the stress associated with their studies, they are the target of publicitary promotion of fast foods, alcoholic drinks, smoking, and they share with the rest of the Puertorican population predisposition to diabetes mellitus. We collected data about the risk factors for High Blood Pressure (HBP) to which this specific population was exposed.

METHODS: This is an observational-descriptive, cross-sectional study with a data collection period from February to March 2004.

SUBJECTS: students of a health science institution of the south area of Puerto Rico (N = 310). Sample availability (155). The Prediagnostic History of Francisco Fragachán (2002), High Blood Pressure Unit, questionaire Universitary Hospital, Central University of Venezuela was utilized. We also performed the questionnaire of Vulnerability Stress Test of Beech and Scheffield (adapted for a Hispanic community). The blood pressure was measured with an electronic calibrated Omrom 4M equipment. Measured anthropometric variables: Weight and height with a calibrated scale; Hip and waist circumference under the anatomical references of Siegell et al.

RESULTS: Age Average: 25.4 +/- 3.19. Ninety three percent (93%) of the population had at least one risk factor for HBP. Of our population, 90% consider themselves vulnerable to stress at least in one of the items proposed. 45% of our subjects were overweight and 17% were obese. 94.8% of the study population had an adequate W/H ratio. Mean values for BP: 112/71; Pulse Presure: 41; Mean Blood Presure: 85,4; Heart Rate: 79,5. We found seven subjects with hypertension.

CONCLUSION: In our study population the presence of risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) in an early stage of life (25.4 +/- 3.19 years) increases the possibility to develop hypertension.