Background The risk of cardiovascular death is associated with blood pressure value (BP) and its value above 115/75 mm Hg increases the risk in a statistically significantly way. According to this, the role of lifestyle and risk factors of hypertension that can be modified is important also in the stadium of prehypertension. The aim of the study was to compare lifestyles of young adults with hypertension, prehypertension and optimal BP.
Material and methods The cross-sectional study ivolred a casual BP measurement and the questionnaire estimating basic risk factors of hypertension in 532 students, aged 18–25. The statistical analysis was performed with EpiInfo 6.0 procedures.
Results Optimal BP was recognized in 39.3%, prehypertension in 45.9% and hypertension in 14.8% students. Students with hypertension were more frequently overweighted/obese than students with prehypertension and optimal BP (p < 0.05). Young adults with hypertension more frequently used diet rich in fat and less frequently drank coffee than students with prehypertension and optimal BP (p < 0.05). Hypertensive subjects declared the family history of dyslipidaemia, ischaemic heart disease and atheroslerosis more frequently than students with normal BP (p < 0.05).
Conclusion The results revealed different lifestyles of young adults with hypertension, prehypertension and optimal BP, and difference in obesity and improper diet. The study underlines the necessity of prospective epidemiologic studies to estimate the cardiovascular risk related to abnormal lifestyle among people with increased BP level and to promote healthy lifestyle of young adults.