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Pre-hypertension and Associated Risk Factors Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Chengalpattu District: A

Rehana Syed1, Raja D1, Manoj P1

  • 1Epidemiology and Public Health, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, IND.

Cureus
|July 14, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A significant 28% of medical students have pre-hypertension, a precursor to cardiovascular disease. Stress and smoking are identified as the strongest risk factors, emphasizing the need for early intervention and lifestyle changes in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Medical Education

Background:

  • Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular conditions, pose a global health challenge.
  • Medical students face unique stressors, increasing their risk for unhealthy lifestyles and chronic diseases like hypertension at a younger age.
  • Pre-hypertension, an early stage of hypertension, is a significant risk factor for future cardiovascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of pre-hypertension among undergraduate medical students in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • To identify demographic and lifestyle factors associated with pre-hypertension in this student population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted with 350 randomly selected undergraduate medical students.
  • Data collection involved a pretested, structured questionnaire to gather information on demographics, lifestyle, and health status.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with pre-hypertension.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of pre-hypertension among the surveyed medical students was 28%.
  • Significant risk factors associated with pre-hypertension included age over 22, being in the final year of study, smoking, high stress levels, poor sleep, physical inactivity, and a family history of hypertension.
  • Stress (AOR = 3.822) and smoking (AOR = 2.755) emerged as the strongest predictors of pre-hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • The high prevalence of pre-hypertension in medical students underscores the urgent need for targeted preventive strategies.
  • Integrating health screening campaigns, life skills education, and stress management programs into the medical curriculum is recommended.
  • Early screening and lifestyle interventions are crucial for mitigating long-term cardiovascular risks in future healthcare professionals.

Keywords:
adolescent healthelevated hypertensionnon-communicable diseaseperceived stresssystemic hypertensionyoung adults

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