INTRODUCTION : Essential hypertension, a major risk factor for
cardiovascular disease (CVD), is prevalent in the adult population.
The present study was conducted to compare any observed differences
which can be explained in the mean BPs, BMI, Hip waist ratio in
young adult of hypertensive and normotensive parents. The study
aimed to measure the anthropometric parameters of young healthy
adults having parental history of Hypertension and to correlate the
anthropometric parameters of these individuals with those of the young
healthy individuals who do not have parental history of Hypertension.
METHODS: Cross Sectional analytical study. After Multi-staged Random
sampling 100 the students were contacted and self reported
parental history regarding hypertension was taken in the study . The list
was finalized, of where the parental history of hypertension was there or
not. Randomly 50 cases each of both the groups having parental history
of hypertension and those whose having no history hypertension was
selected. If the consent was not given, or was excluded because of any
reason, other participant was included randomly from the list. Thus, 100
students were divided into two groups.
RESULTS: 65% were males and the average age was 19.29 years with
a median of 20 years. The difference in mean systolic blood pressure
in subjects with history of hypertensive parents was statistically significant
. The mean diastolic blood pressure was also significantly higher.
Using linear regression analysis with BP as the dependent variable, a
significant correlation was found between SBP and DBP of children
and mothers and SBP of children and fathers. Linear regression analysis
of children’s blood pressure and parents’ BMI showed significant
correlation.
CONCLUSIONS: Present study suggest the need of monitoring the BP
of children of hypertensive parents. Health care providers, therefore
have an important role to play in educating families and children about
approaches that are useful in preventing hypertension.
Keywords: Hypertension, Familial History, BMI, WHR