ABSTRACT
Measurement of blood pressure accurately is imperative in the diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of clinical conditions. The mercury sphygmomanometer discovered more than 100 years ago, has since been used as the gold standard to record blood pressure. Using the mercury sphygmomanometer requires adequate training and practice, whereas the automated devices are convenient and easier to use. We wanted to compare the readings taken by the manual mercury and the digital sphygmomanometer and determine the variations in the readings if any. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was done in 148 apparently healthy medical students (males n=58, females n=90) (Fig. 1). Written informed consent was taken and the procedure was carried out. Questionnaires were provided to obtain demographic data from students. Blood pressure was recorded in the dominant arm using Pulse Wave 300 NISCO mercury sphygmomanometer, and OMRON HEM-7130 digital sphygmomanometer in the sitting, standing and recumbent posture. Three readings were recorded in each position with an interval of 2 mins., between each recording. The mean of the systolic and diastolic blood pressured was compared between the mercury and digital sphygmomanometer for variations if any. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22. P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsIn our study out of the 148 participants 58 were males and 90 were females. The overall mean systolic blood pressure recorded using the mercury sphygmomanometer was found to be 107.59 ± 11.62 mmHg; mean diastolic blood pressure was found to be 68.83 ± 8.91 mmHg; overall mean systolic blood pressure recorded using the digital sphygmomanometer was found to be 107.72 ± 13.36 mmHg and overall mean diastolic blood pressure was found to be 71.4 ± 9.62 mmHg. ConclusionsIn our study no statistically significant difference was found between the BP measurements recorded using the mercury and digital sphygmomanometer (Table. 1, 2). Mercury sphygmomanometer still remains the gold standard in recording blood pressure, and those who are unskilled in recording BP using the standard method could utilize the digital device as it is easier and more convenient.
ABSTRACT
It is an established fact that primary and secondary hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders have a familial predisposition. We also know that essential hypertension is the most common amongst hypertensives. The aim of our study was to find out effect of cold pressor test (CPT) on heart rate and blood pressure amongst individuals with and without family history of hypertension. MethodsPresent study was undertaken using within group design consisting of measurements at basal and CPT and the parameters studied were pulse rate and Blood pressure. ResultsIn our study we found that in males with family history of HT (n=15), the mean basal pulse rate was 78.33 beats/min and following CPT it increased to 85.73. Similarly, in males without family history of HT (n=18) mean basal pulse rate was 77.28 beats/min and following CPT it increased to 86.72 beats/min. In both cases it was statistically significant. But it is observed that in case of females with family history of HT (n= 20) mean basal pulse rate was 80.9 beats/min and following CPT it increased to 89.1. Similarly, in Females without family history of HT (n=26) mean basal pulse rate was 77.15 beats/min and following CPT it increased to 84.73 beats/min and in both these cases, it was statistically significant. In males with family history of HT (n=15), mean basal SBP was 115.13 mmHg and following CPT increased to 123.93 and this was statistically significant and the mean DBP was 74.67 mmHg and following CPT it increased to 79.82 mmHg and it was not statistically significant. In males without family history of HT (n=18) mean basal SBP was 114.67 mmHg and following CPT it was increased to 122.89 mmHg and increase was statistically significant and mean DBP was 74.44 mmHg and following CPT it increased to 76.33 mmHg and this increase was not statistically significant. In females with family with family history of HT (n=20) the mean SBP was 114.2 mmHg and following CPT it increased to 121.9 mmHg and it was statistically significant and the mean DBP was 73.75 mmHg and following CPT it increased to 78.80 mmHg and it was not statistically significant. In females without family history of HT (n= 26) the mean basal SBP was 108.23 mmHg and following CPT it increased to 117.08 mmHg and the mean basal DBP was 69.92 mmHg and following CPT it was increased to 76.69 mmHg this increase in both the cases was statistically significant (table 1,2). In both the groups, none of the subjects was found to be hyperreactive to either systolic or diastolic blood pressure when they were subjected to CPT. ConclusionsIn both the groups, subjects were found to be hyporeactive or normoreactive to either systolic or diastolic blood pressure when they were subjected to CPT. But increase in basal blood pressure response is known to be due to CPT.
ABSTRACT
Shavasana or a corpse pose is the final pose of a yoga flow. When practiced regularly it is known to restore the body and mind. Aim of our present study was to investigate the effects of shavasana on handgrip and cold pressor test on heart rate and blood pressure in apparently healthy young adults. In today’s world all of us are under constant stress and majority of individuals with sedentary lifestyle suffer from hypertension and each of us react differently to varied internal and external stimuli.METHODSFor convenience, we took 300 apparently healthy medical students of both sexes in the age group of 18 to 22 years and a comparative study was carried out among them. Their basal pulse and BP were recorded from dominant hand. For Hand Grip Test (HGT) handgrip dynamometer (INCO) was used by left hand, and pulse and BP from right hand was recorded and similarly Cold Pressor Test (CPT) was carried out by immersing left hand up to wrist joint in cold water mixed with ice cubes to maintain temperature at 40C and pulse and BP was recorded from right hand. Shavasana was performed for 15 minutes by lying down on the wooden couch, with eyes closed and lying on back, keeping arms six inches away from the body and legs and feet “drop” open and palms facing upwards and concentrating on their breathing, after which pulse and BP was recorded. This was carried out for a period of 30 days.RESULTSData was collected and analysed using paired ‘t’ test and paired differences were calculated using 95% confidence interval of the difference and p value of < 0.05 was taken as scientifically significant. In our study we found that there is significant decrease in basal pulse rate, when compared with CPT, immediately and after performing shavasana for a period of one month, and there was significant increase in pulse rate following HGT (p< 0.001) (table 1 and graph 1). Compared to basal, SBP and DBP, it was observed that there is significant decrease; immediately and after performing shavasana for one month and significant increase with HGT and CPT was observed (p<0.001) (table 1 and graph 1).CONCLUSIONSThere is a significant decrease in basal pulse rate, when compared with CPT, immediately and after performing shavasana for a period of one month, and there was significant increase in pulse rate following HGT (p< 0.001) (table 1 and graph 1). Compared to basal, SBP and DBP it was observed that there is significant decrease; immediately and after performing shavasana for one month and significant increase with HGT and CPT was observed (p<0.001) (table 1 and graph 1).