Screening of Prehypertension and Hypertension among King Faisal University (KFU) Students.

Objectives: To screen the university students for prehypertension and hypertension and find out the contributing risk factors and their awareness level of these factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 221, randomly selected (at convenience) students aged 18 to 25 years (All male) in King Faisal University, were included in the study between October 2013 and January 2014. Blood pressure measurements were taken by trained personnel. Designed questionnaires,including questions about physical activity, lifestyle, smoking and family history of hypertension were distributed to the participants. Body mass index was determined by measuring height and weight. Results: The total participants 221 were classified into three groups according to their blood pressure levels .No hypotensive cases were found.They were classified into normotensive students where they formed 52.0% (n=115) .Prehypertensive students 29.9% (n=66) and hypertensive students 18.1% (n=40).Significant relationships were found between hypertension and prehypertension and elevated BMI levels andphysical inactivity. The level of awareness about major contributors to hypertension(Obesity, smoking, much salt intake)was high among the students. Conclusion: One out of 6 students were prehypertensive, while one out of 3 were hypertensive, and they showed elevated BMI levels compared to normotensive students. Physical inactivity appeared to influence prehypertension and hypertension. Awareness about the risk factors and healthy life style should be enhanced.