Blood Pressure values of Sri Lankan Tamils in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka

Authors

  • Balasubramaniam M Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
  • Sivapalan K Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
  • Tharsha J Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
  • Sivatharushan V Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
  • Nishanthi V Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
  • Kinthusa S Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
  • Dilani M Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apjhs.2015.2.3.15

Keywords:

Diastolic Blood pressure, Sri Lankan Tamils, Systolic Blood Pressure

Abstract

Objective: To measure the blood pressure values of healthy Sri Lankan Tamils in Jaffna district and to correlate with anthropometric characters. Design and setting: Descriptive cross sectional study among the healthy Sri Lankan Tamils living in Jaffna district. Measurements: An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to select non smoking non alcoholic healthy volunteers. Age, Height, weight, Waist Circumference (WC) and Hip Circumference (HC) were obtained. Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated. Blood pressure values were measured with mercury sphygmomanometer. Lowest blood pressure out of three readings obtained in 5 minutes interval after adequate rest was used for analysis. Results: Total of 1529 (615 males & 914 females) participants were included in this study. The age range of participants was 15-92 years. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure of females in reproductive age (20-44 years) was lower than that of males (p<0.05). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed increase up to the age group of 50-54 years in males. Thereafter there was little reduction in the values which was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In females there was a gradual increase in blood pressure values with age. Significant (p< 0.05) mild correlation was observed between blood pressure values and anthropometric characters. Conclusion: This study will be useful as there are no published data available for healthy Sri Lankans Tamils.

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Author Biographies

Balasubramaniam M, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Department of Physiology, 

Sivapalan K, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Department of Physiology, 

Tharsha J, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Department of Physiology, 

Sivatharushan V, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Department of Physiology, 

Nishanthi V, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Department of Physiology, 

Kinthusa S, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Department of Physiology, 

Dilani M, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Department of Physiology, 

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Published

2015-09-30

How to Cite

Balasubramaniam M, Sivapalan K, Tharsha J, Sivatharushan V, Nishanthi V, Kinthusa S, & Dilani M. (2015). Blood Pressure values of Sri Lankan Tamils in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka . Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences, 2(3), 66–71. https://doi.org/10.21276/apjhs.2015.2.3.15