BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS OF 75,258 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

MANY studies of blood pressure have been made on large numbers of persons of different ages representing supposedly normal, healthy people. From such studies certain ranges of blood pressure have been accepted as "normal" for various age groups, these "normal" ranges being in fact the averages of the groups. The examination of large samples of the population can add to the knowledge of what may be considered "normal," or at least most common, for the particular group examined. It is not our purpose to attempt to define the "normal" blood pressure for any age group, but to present data on blood pressure determinations on a large number of persons, most of whom are young adults. In reviewing the literature, there is found rather wide variation in the average blood pressure levels in supposedly normal persons. Alvarez¹ found the systolic pressure in male university students to average 128.9 mm. of