FINAL ANALYSIS OF THE PREVALENCE OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN MEDICAL STUDENTS AT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN SUL FLUMINENSE AND ASSOCIATION WITH RISK FACTORS

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) and its associated risk factors in young medical students aged 18 to 35 at the University of Vassouras, Vassouras and Miguel Pereira campuses, as well as to promote harm reduction and health promotion. The study was conducted following the 2020 Hypertension guidelines regarding information obtained through questionnaires, correct use of scales, sphygmomanometers, and stethoscopes. The research, which evaluated 304 young university students, revealed a prevalence of 11.5% of pre-hypertension and hypertension. The findings indicated that male sex and overweight/obesity are the risk factors most significantly associated with elevated blood pressure in this young population. Male sex, in particular, showed a much higher predisposition to blood pressure alterations. On the other hand, factors such as sedentary lifestyle, excessive sodium consumption, and family history, although recognized risks in the literature, did not show a statistically relevant association in the sample. Among the study's limitations, the following stand out: the cross-sectional design, which prevents the determination of causality; information bias arising from the self-reported questionnaire; and reliance on blood pressure measurement in the doctor's office, without the use of complementary techniques such as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Additionally, restricting the sample to medical students from a single institution limits the ability to generalize the results.