Thauler Alves De Oliveira, Kenia Ferreira Rosa, Otávio Antoniel Vilela Nunes, Guilherme Augusto Alves de Oliveira, Flávio Ricardo Manzi
Background: Based on relation of pathological effects of stress on the body and its reflex on blood pressure, the high level of stress undergone by medical students becomes a concern about quality of medical training and its health. The aim is to verify the possible influence of stress during exam periods on the blood pressure of medical students.
Method: The systemic arterial pressure (SAP) of 109 medical students of an institution was measured and analyzed in the period from March to September 2016, using the standardization recommended by the American Heart Association, in 3 time intervals: school holidays, classes without exams, and classes with exams.
Results: The authors verified that the systolic arterial pressure and cardiac frequency values checked on exam days were statistically higher (mean of 121.60 mmHg and 85 bpm, respectively) than when measured on class days or during vacations. Whereas the systolic arterial pressure and cardiac frequency values measured on class days were significantly lower than those on the other days (mean of 112.75 mmHg and 74.86 bpm, respectively).
Conclusion: The authors statistically verified that stress during exam periods had an influence on the arterial blood pressure of medical students, bringing into focus the need for teaching institutions to provide these students with psychosocial and pedagogical support.
