RELATIONSHIP OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAM VARIABLES WITH BLOOD PRESSURE IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Across the world the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases are increasing at an alarming rate. These diseases also affect the young age and medical students are no exception. In this study, ECG variables like R-R interval, QRS Axis of the medical students along with their Blood pressure were recorded and the relationship between ECG variables and Blood pressure was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done in Dept. of Physiology, Jorhat Medical College .Sample size was calculated as 160 using EpiTools Software. Recording of Electrocardiogram and Blood pressure of 160 students were done and saved for further analysis. P values were calculated by Anova test in case of more than two variables,. Scatter diagrams were used to see the relationship between study variables. The P value <0.05 was considered as signicant. RESULTS: Comparison of ECG Variables between hypotensive, normotensive and hypertensive students showed that R-R Interval decreased signicantly from 21.37±4.24 in hypotensives to 19.74±3.39 in normotensives and 18.27±4.07 in hypertensive students. QRS Axis decreased from 75.35±10.99 degrees in hypotensives to 54.80±34.94 degrees in normotensives and 50.43±25.59 degrees in hypertensive students. CONCLUSION: Changing of life style that includes reduced consumption of fat rich diets, fast foods, red meat and salt, performing regular physical exercises, and regular health check up in the form of Blood pressure and Electrocardiogram recording could be benecial for the students to identify and take preventive measures against any cardiovascular ailments.