Introduction
Blood pressure measures the pressure of circulating blood in blood vessels. The inner walls of the blood vessels are affected by the pressure and it is measured by sphygmomanometer. If the diastolic pressure is more than 140 mm/Hg and systolic pressure is more than 80 mm/Hg, it is considered to be an abnormal blood pressure [1]. Physiological problems and unbalanced nourishment may disrupt the homeostasis of the blood. In addition to that, stress is another main source of high blood pressure. It is quite obvious that any form of stress is defined to produce mental and physiological reactions in the body and alternate the heart rate and blood pressure [2]. Although to some extent stress is helpful in coping with problems, too much of it can affect the performance negatively [3]. The basic definition of stress is anxiety which lets the brain prepares the body for defensive actions the fight or flight response by releasing of cortisone and adrenaline hormones [4]. Stress of any form is known to produce definable mental and physiological reactions in the body like alterations in different biological functions especially the heart rate and blood pressure [5,6].
The curriculum studied by the medical students is vast and time in which they have to complete their studies is short, therefore medical students are thought to be under stress, especially before their examinations.
Materials and research methods
The present study was carried out at Institute of International School of Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. About 60 students blood pressure we have measured in this experiment. The BP of the students were recorded using mercury Sphygmomanometer and Stethoscope. Out of 60 students 66.7% were boys and 33.3% were girls.
From the figure 1,2 given below it was observed that before exams the blood pressure rates were quiet higher as compared to the normal routine. This increase may be due to the higher stress level of exams.
Fig.1. Students Systolic Pressure graph before and after the exam.
The systolic blood pressure for all individuals after the exam was 110-140 mm of Hg which is a normal blood pressure while before the exam it increases to 120-160 mm of Hg.
Fig. 2. Students Diastolic Pressure before and after the exams.
The diastolic blood pressure for all individuals after the exam was 70-90 mm of Hg which is a normal blood pressure while before the exam it increases to 70 -95 mm of Hg.
Table 1.
Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure records in students
|
Parameter |
Mean ± SD |
Parameter |
Mean ± SD |
||
|
S.B.P |
Before exam |
142.05±12.3mmHg |
D.B.P |
Before exam |
83.033±7.76 mmHg |
|
After exam |
117.98±8.5mmHg |
After exam |
78.80±6.2 mmHg |
The systolic blood pressure for all individual before exam was 142.05 ± 12.3 mmHg, after examination, it 117.98 ± 8.5 mmHg (Table 1.) The diastolic blood pressure for all individual before exam was 83.033±7.76 mmHg, after examination, it 78.80 ± 6.2 mmHg(Table 1.).
Results
According to the B.P measurements we observed the systolic and diastolic readings of every student. Stress produced a significant elevation in the systolic blood pressure of the students. We observed that before exams students felt a stress due to exams and study. Studies suggest that inability to adapt to stress is associated with the onset of depression or anxiety. Certainly, stress diminishes the quality of life reducing the feeling of pleasure and accomplishment and relationship are often threatened.
Conclusion
Review of academics and exam schedules, more leisure time activities, better interaction with the faculty and proper guidance, advisory services and peer counselling at the campus could do a lot to reduce the stress.