A Cross-Sectional Study to Determine the Association Between Sleeping Patterns and Blood Pressure Among Medical Students in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Wayanad District of Northern Kerala

Background: Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health, yet medical students often experience significant sleep deprivation due to demanding academic schedules and stressful environments. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 377 MBBS students at a tertiary care hospital in Wayanad district, Kerala, to determine the association between sleeping patterns and blood pressure. Results: Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and blood pressure was measured using standard procedures. The findings revealed that 65.25% of students had poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 125.2 ± 9.2 mmHg and 79.7 ± 6.0 mmHg, respectively. Based on blood pressure classification, 22.02% of students were normotensive, 76.66% were pre-hypertensive, and 1.33% were hypertensive. Conclusion: A statistically significant association was observed between poor sleep quality and elevated blood pressure levels (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that poor sleep quality is common among medical students and may contribute to increased blood pressure.