Hidden Cardiovascular Risk Among University Students: Findings From a Preventive Cardiovascular Screening Initiative

Authors

Keywords:

Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Students, Cardiovascular risk factors, Public Health Initiatives

Abstract

Background 

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with cardiovascular risk factors increasingly appearing during young adulthood. Elevated blood pressure among university students frequently remains undetected due to limited preventive screening. Early identification of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors may support timely intervention and reduce long-term cardiovascular disease burden.This study aimed to assess the prevalence of abnormal blood pressure and associated lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors among university students participating in a preventive cardiovascular screening initiative.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted during a university-based cardiovascular awareness initiative among students. Participants from all academic years (1st–6th year) were recruited through voluntary pre-registration. All screening activities were performed under direct cardiologist supervision. Collected variables included demographics, blood pressure measurements, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, physical activity, sleep duration, stress level, and relevant medical history. Blood pressure categories were classified according to the American Heart Association (AHA) hypertension criteria. 12-lead electrocardiography(ECG) was performed in participants who were identified as higher risk during clinical assessment. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to evaluate cardiovascular risk profiles within the study population.

Results

A total of 89 university students participated in the screening (mean age 20.4 ± 1.7 years; 51.7% female). Abnormal blood pressure patterns were identified in 30.3% of participants, including elevated blood pressure in 16.9%, Stage 1 hypertension in 7.9%, and Stage 2 hypertension in 5.6%. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 120.8 mmHg and 78.7 mmHg, respectively.

Regarding BMI distribution, 29.2% of participants were overweight or obese, while sleep deprivation (<6 hours/day) was reported in 49.4%. Additional cardiovascular risk factors included low or insufficient physical activity in 61.8% of participants, high or very high perceived stress in 14.6%, and active smoking in 5.6%.

ECG was performed in 25.8% of participants based on clinical risk assessment, leading to identification of one previously undiagnosed Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) in an asymptomatic student requiring cardiology referral. Overall, specialist referrals were issued in 5.6% of cases following cardiovascular assessment.

Conclusion

We found a substantial burden of previously unrecognised cardiovascular risk factors and abnormal blood pressure patterns among apparently healthy university students despite their young age. The coexistence of elevated blood pressure, overweight status, sleep deprivation, and reduced physical activity underscores the growing importance of early cardiovascular prevention in young adults. The incidental finding of clinically significant electrocardiographic abnormalities further highlights the value of structured cardiovascular screening initiatives in university populations. Screening programs at universities may serve as effective strategies for early detection, awareness, and lifestyle-focused intervention to mitigate future cardiovascular risk.

References

Schmidt BM, Durao S, Toews I, Bavuma CM, Hohlfeld A, Nury E, Meerpohl JJ, Kredo T. Screening strategies for hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May 7;5(5):CD013212. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013212.pub2. PMID: 32378196; PMCID: PMC7203601.

Van MH, Bich TLT, Tu NT, Van SP, Bạch YHT, Anh TH. Screening for Hypertension in Adults of a Northern Delta Province in Vietnam. Curr Hypertens Rev. 2024;20(2):101-108. doi: 10.2174/0115734021283836240522120929. PMID: 38812423.

Khoo YY, Farid NDN, Choo WY, Omar A. Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of young-onset hypertension in Malaysia, 2006-2015. J Hum Hypertens. 2022 Jan;36(1):106-116. doi: 10.1038/s41371-020-00478-0. Epub 2021 Feb 3. PMID: 33536547; PMCID: PMC8766289.

Jiang Q, Zhang Q, Wang T, You Q, Liu C, Cao S. Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among college freshmen in China. Sci Rep. 2021 Nov 29;11(1):23075. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-02578-4. PMID: 34845309; PMCID: PMC8630049.

Babu BV, Hazarika CR, Raina SK, Masoodi SR, Basappa YC, Thomas N, Kerketta AS, Jebasingh FK. Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, Control and Risk Factors in Tribal Population of India: a Multi-Centric Cross-Sectional Study. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Dec;11(6):3678-3689. doi: 10.1007/s40615-023-01817-w. Epub 2023 Sep 28. PMID: 37768536.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-19

How to Cite

Niraula, R., Dalyan, Y., & Diasamidze , K. (2026). Hidden Cardiovascular Risk Among University Students: Findings From a Preventive Cardiovascular Screening Initiative. International Journal of Medical Students. Retrieved from https://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/4896

Issue

Forthcoming

Section

Abstracts of the WCMSR

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Reshma Niraula, Yaren Dalyan, Khatuna Diasamidze

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

  1. The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all digital objects that may result in subsequent electronic publication or distribution.
  2. Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
  3. The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License or its equivalent, which, for the avoidance of doubt, allows others to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions:
    1. Attribution—other users must attribute the Work in the manner specified by the author as indicated on the journal Web site; with the understanding that the above condition can be waived with permission from the Author and that where the Work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.
    2. The Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the Work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as long as there is provided in the document an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
    3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a prepublication manuscript (but not the Publisher’s final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.
    4. Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
    5. The Author represents and warrants that:
      1. the Work is the Author’s original work;
      2. the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party;
      3. the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;
      4. the Work has not previously been published;
      5. the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and
      6. the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
    6. The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from the Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained in Paragraph 6 above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.

Enforcement of copyright

The IJMS takes the protection of copyright very seriously.

If the IJMS discovers that you have used its copyright materials in contravention of the license above, the IJMS may bring legal proceedings against you seeking reparation and an injunction to stop you using those materials. You could also be ordered to pay legal costs.

If you become aware of any use of the IJMS' copyright materials that contravenes or may contravene the license above, please report this by email to contact@ijms.org

 

Infringing material

If you become aware of any material on the website that you believe infringes your or any other person's copyright, please report this by email to contact@ijms.org