Chronic Stress and Its Association with Elevated Blood Pressure and Lifestyle Habits among Medical Students.

Background

Hypertension is increasingly reported among young adults, particularly medical students exposed to chronic academic stress and unhealthy lifestyle habits, which may increase long-term cardiovascular risk.

Aim

The aim is to assess the association between perceived stress, lifestyle factors, and blood pressure among undergraduate medical students aged 18-26 years.

Materials And Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 medical students in Central India. Stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and lifestyle habits were evaluated using a Food Frequency Questionnaire and structured assessment. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer in accordance with standard guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using OpenEpi, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals calculated.

Results

The mean age was 21.9 ± 1.8 years. Elevated blood pressure was observed in 32.4% of students. High stress was strongly associated with elevated blood pressure (OR = 3.95). Additional predictors included low physical activity, smoking, short sleep duration, male gender, and unhealthy dietary habits.

Conclusions

Stress and adverse lifestyle behaviors are significantly associated with elevated blood pressure among medical students. Early interventions targeting stress management and healthy living are essential.