Rastreamento da Pressão Arterial em uma Unidade Acadêmica da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

Abstract

Introduction: Considered an important global public health problem, systemic arterial hypertension represents a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, blood pressure monitoring is considered an effective measure for early diagnosis. Objectives: To track pressure values among the students, teachers and administrative technicians of the Undergraduate Nursing Course of the Medicine School of Federal University of Uberlândia (FAMED-UFU). Methodology: This is an exploratory, descriptive and transversal, population-based study. Participants were submitted to a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, containing questions about cardiovascular diseases. Anthropometric data such as weight, height, brachial circumference, abdominal, hip and blood pressure gauges were measured, following the guidelines of Brazilian Hypertension. Results: 298 participants were included in this study, predominantly: female (75%); age group <25 years (78%); white (50%); single (84%); without remunerated professional activity (72%); non-smokers (94%); non-alcoholic (57%); with stress (55%); sedentary (53%); who eat at a restaurant (59%); who make daily meals between 4 to 5 (47%); uses salt (82%) and non-use of the salt shaker (77%). The average BP values obtained in this study were: SBP = 113 ± 11 mmHg and DBP = 69 ± 7 mmHg. When comparing groups with normal blood pressure and altered blood pressure, there was a statistically significant difference for the variables high blood pressure (p = 0.016), medication for blood pressure control (p = 0.009) and diabetes (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The blood pressure monitoring of this study indicated a blood pressure average with normal classification. However, the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, obesity, stress, use of salt and alcoholic beverages, risk factors that may predispose to the appearance of systemic arterial hypertension were found. The reversal of modifiable risk factors may lead to a decrease in the development of systemic arterial hypertension.