What Is or What Is Not a Risk Factor for Arterial Hypertension? Not Hamlet, but Medical Students Answer That Question

Tomasz Sobierajski, Stanisław Surma, Monika Romańczyk, Krzysztof Łabuzek, Krzysztof J. Filipiak and Suzanne Oparil
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Tomasz Sobierajski: Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Resocialization, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland
Stanisław Surma: Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Monika Romańczyk: Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Krzysztof Łabuzek: Independent Researcher, 43-600 Jaworzno, Poland
Krzysztof J. Filipiak: Institute of Clinical Sciences, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medical Academy in Warsaw, 00-136 Warsaw, Poland
Suzanne Oparil: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Brimingham, Brimingham, AL ZRB 542, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-12

Abstract: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. The most important method of preventing hypertension is social awareness of its causes. An important role in educating society about hypertension is played by medical personnel. The study involved 327 students of medicine representing all years of study. The study used a proprietary questionnaire containing test questions about knowledge of the causes of hypertension (classical and non-classical factors), as well as questionable and false risk factors for the disease. The students’ knowledge of the complications of hypertension was also assessed. Most of the students rated their knowledge about hypertension as good. Classical risk factors for hypertension were identified by students in all years of study: I–III and IV–VI. Non-classical risk factors for hypertension were less often identified by the students. The students almost unanimously indicated that the complications of hypertension include heart failure, heart attack, stroke, aortic aneurysm, kidney failure, atherosclerosis, eye diseases and worse prognosis in COVID-19. Students’ knowledge of the causes of hypertension increased during medical studies. The knowledge of the respondents about classical risk factors for hypertension was extensive, whereas knowledge of non-classical risk factors it was insufficient. Most of the respondents were well aware of the complications of hypertension. Some students identified some factors incorrectly as increasing the risk of hypertension. Emphasis should be placed on the dissemination of knowledge about non-classical hypertension risk factors to medical students.

Keywords: arterial hypertension; risk factors; medical students; knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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