DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i02.018

Pages: 620-622

Subjects with prehypertension, a new category created in classification of Blood Pressure (BP) by Joint National Committee 7 (JNC 7), have a greater risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases than subjects with lower blood pressure levels. Obesity is recognized as a major risk factor for the development of hypertension. This short cross sectional study was done to determine the prevalence of prehypertension and its relationship with body mass index (BMI) in prehypertensive young adult males. 170 healthy young adult males in the age group of 20-30yrs were selected for the study. Blood pressure, weight and height of the subjects were measured and BMI was calculated. Blood pressure measurements were categorized using JNC 7 guidelines. Association of BP with BMI was assessed. The prevalence rate of prehypertension was 20%. A positive association has been found between both Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) with BMI. Prehypertension is highly prevalent in young adult males. There is a positive association between BP and BMI. Early intervention and health-promoting lifestyle modifications are recommended in prehypertensive subjects.