Evaluation of Cardiovascular Responses Using Cold Presser Test as a Possible Future Risk for Hypertension in Normotensive Healthy Young Subjects

Hypertension is a major public health challenge and an emerging factor for cardiovascular co-morbidities globally. Exaggerated cardiovascular response to stress has been possible evidence to be a future risk for the development of hypertension and cardiac disorders. This cross-sectional study was done to evaluate cardiovascular responses using a cold presser test as a possible future risk for hypertension in normotensive healthy young students. A total of 70 healthy medical students of first-year MBBS, of both genders with ages between 18-22 years were included in the study. About 68.6% of students were found to be normal and were included in the normal response group. They showed no significant increase in heart rate, systolic or diastolic blood pressure. The participants showing a rise of systolic BP ≥25 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥20 mmHg were included in the hyper-response group. The overall mean age group in both male and female students was 20±1.56 years. In conclusion, 31.4% of normotensive medical students showed exaggerated cardiovascular responses to cold pressor tests which can be a possible risk for hypertension in these young normotensive individuals. Early interventions in their lifestyle modification can prevent them from developing hypertension in the future.