Ambulatory blood pressure patterns and associated lifestyle behaviours in a cross-sectional study of young adult university students.

Charlotte Mungho Tata; Wisdom  Igang; Christopher  Tume; Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh- Chungag

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i4.2588

Authors

Charlotte Mungho Tata Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 396, Bambilli, Cameroon.
Wisdom Igang Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 396, Bambilli, Cameroon.
Christopher Tume Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 396, Bambilli, Cameroon.
Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i4.2588

Keywords:

Ambulatory blood pressure, Blood pressure variability, Lifestyle, Morning surge in blood pressure, Nocturnal blood pressure changes

Abstract

Background:

Hypertension (HTN) is a significant silent health threat in all age groups, including young adults, often presenting no symptoms while causing long-term cardiovascular damage. This study aimed to explore ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) patterns, nocturnal BP changes, BP variability, morning BP surges, and the association between ABP and lifestyle factors in healthy university students.

Methods:

Demography, lifestyle, and family history of HTN were obtained using a questionnaire. ABP was measured using a portable automatic oscillometric monitor. Study participants were recruited from students enrolled at the University of Bamenda, Cameroon, who had no known history of cardiovascular disease and voluntarily agreed to collaborate. Data were analyzed using SPSS®, and the relationship between ABP parameters.

Results:

A total of 105 individuals participated in this study, and their mean age was 23.08±4.78. With a few exceptions, the mean BPs of males were slightly higher than those of females, with elevated 24HSBP of males significantly (p<0.02) higher than that of females and normal 24HDBP of males significantly (p<0.03) higher than that of females. The pulse rate of females at 60-100 bpm was significantly higher than that of males in the daytime (p<0.009) and at 24H (p<0.003). Most participants were non-dippers, with a mean SBP change of 5.12.7 mmHg and a mean DBP change of 5.49±2.6 mmHg. Morning surge in SBP was within 10-30 mmHg in 76 participants. Ambulatory BP was associated with salty food (> 5 g salt/day), sugar-sweetened beverages, insufficient sleep, and family history of HTN.

Conclusion:

Ambulatory BP monitoring is critical in detecting a comprehensive profile of BP patterns, and if used in combination with lifestyle patterns, will be crucial for tracking BP changes and, by extension, cardiovascular health in young adults.

Recommendation:

Thus, there’s a need for widespread ABP monitoring of healthy youngsters in order to prevent future cardiovascular disease.

Author Biographies

Charlotte Mungho Tata, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 396, Bambilli, Cameroon.

Lecturer of Biochemistry

Wisdom Igang, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 396, Bambilli, Cameroon.

Master's student of Biochemistry

Christopher Tume , Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 396, Bambilli, Cameroon.

Professor of Biochemistry

Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa.

Professor of Physiology

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