Lab Packet

This topic submitted by Nathan, Michele, Heather, Mica (queen_heats@hotmail.com) at 5:40 pm on 10/31/01. Additions were last made on Friday, April 19, 2002. Section: Cummins

Stress and the College Environment
A proposed study on stress, and the link with blood pressure
Index
Introduction
Relevance
What is High Blood Pressure?
What causes high blood pressure?
Why Monitor your Blood Pressure?
How Stressed Are You?
Materials and Methods
Data Sheets
Souces
Tables

Introduction
Our group will monitor the stress levels between students that are architecture majors and students that are Western majors. We will take the blood pressure of our test subjects and this will be the main factor in determining their level of stress. We will also ask the test subjects questions about their lifestyle, such as: how many hours of sleep they got the night before, what their diet consists of, if they smoke on a regular basis, etc. Our hypothesis: students that are architecture majors will have higher amounts of stress than students that are Western majors. Because of a significantly larger workload and the competitiveness of their program, architect students must exert themselves far more than the Western students. It would also stand to reason that architects students have less time for sleep and healthy eating, which would only add to their level of stress. This study affects our group personally; two of our own members follow the architect curriculum and very well might be carrying this stress with them. But there are also indirect concerns. Because architect students make up a large part of the population of the Western school, their moods can greatly affect the atmosphere of the campus. If architects students are in aÊ stressed-out, negative mood, it will create an collect unfriendly atmosphere.
Relevance
It has been documentedÊ that there is a strong link between high blood pressure and stress. The National Institute on Aging states that ÒBlood pressure goes upon all people during periods of stress...Ó (NIA, 1994). College presents young people with unlimited possibilities for these stressful periods. Unrelenting professors, strict deadlines, all-nighters, competitions for grades, a diet consisting of alcohol and pizza, are just some of the factors in college that can produce stress in even the healthiest of students. The Counseling Center at the University of Florida states that Ò Someone who is always feeling overwhelmed, eats poorly, and doesnÕt get enough sleep... usually has a limited ability to cope with stressful events.Ó (UF, 2001). The following qualities can be applied to many, if not all, architect students. If it is found that these students are exhibiting extremely high levels of stress, the program might be in need of a change. There is nothing wrong with challenging students; in fact, it is academically healthy. But it it possible that architect students are being pushed too hard. This could have serious detrimental effects on their mental and physical health. Our study will provide some insight into the working and living conditions of architect students.
It has been documentedÊ that there is a strong link between high blood pressure and stress. The National Institute on Aging states that ÒBlood pressure goes upon all people during periods of stress...Ó (NIA, 1994). College presents young people with unlimited possibilities for these stressful periods. Unrelenting professors, strict deadlines, all-nighters, competitions for grades, a diet consisting of alcohol and pizza, are just some of the factors in college that can produce stress in even the healthiest of students. The Counseling Center at the University of Florida states that Ò Someone who is always feeling overwhelmed, eats poorly, and doesnÕt get enough sleep... usually has a limited ability to cope with stressful events.Ó (UF, 2001). The following qualities can be applied to many, if not all, architect students. If it is found that these students are exhibiting extremely high levels of stress, the program might be in need of a change. There is nothing wrong with challenging students; in fact, it is academically healthy. But it it possible that architect students are being pushed too hard. This could have serious detrimental effects on their mental and physical health. Our study will provide some insight into the working and living conditions of architect students.
What is High Blood Pressure?
ÊÊÊ High Blood Pressure is classified as having a diastolic reading of 90mmHg
or higher or a systolic reading of 140mmHg or higher. Nearly one in every
four adults in the United States has High Blood Pressure, an estimated 43
million Americans. (Screening for Hypertension)Ê Having High Blood Pressure
increases the chance of getting heart or kidney disease, congestive heart
failure, stroke, and ruptured aortic aneurysm, among other diseases.
Currently, heart disease is the leading killer in the United States, and
stroke is the third. High Blood Pressure gives no warning signs or symptoms;
therefore it is extremely important that people check their blood pressure on
a regular basis. By noticing if it is high, you can take steps to lower it
before it is too late. Even if it is not high, you can still learn how to
prevent it from becoming high. (How to Prevent High Blood Pressure) There
are, however, factors that affect your blood pressure. These factors include,
but are not limited to, anxiety, stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, pain
and eating habits. (Screening for Hypertension)
ÊÊÊ If High Blood Pressure is left untreated and uncontrolled, hypertension
forces your heart and arteries to work harder to maintain a healthy blood
flow. (Walgreens, 8) The harder the arteries and heart work, the more stress
is put on them which leads to a dramatically increased risk of health
problems mentioned above. Routine blood pressure monitoring, a healthy diet
and exercise are all preventions of hypertension.

What causes high blood pressure?
WhoÕs likely to develop high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is caused my many factors. Physiologically, high blood pressure can by a poor diet that is heavy in fat and chlorestoral. Lack of exercise, smoking, and over-consumption of coffee also play a big role in raising blood pressure. High blood pressure can be inherited through family geneology.

In the early to middle adult years of life, men are mosre likely to develop high blood pressure than women. But during and after menopause, it reverses and women have a higher chance of developing high blood pressure. The risks increases for both groups after the age of 65. Over half the people in that age group have high blood pressure. Statistically, African-Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure than whites.

Why Monitor your Blood Pressure?
ÊÊÊ It is important that you keep an accurate record of your blood pressure
over the course of an extended period of time. This record enables you to
provide your primary care physician (PCP) with your average blood pressure,
which will allow your PCP to give you accurate assessments, monitoring and
diagnosis if necessary. By monitoring your blood pressure on a regular basis,
it can often help to alleviate hypertension (also known as High Blood
Pressure) because it is not taken in a doctor's office. The stress of a
doctor's office can cause a persons blood pressure to go up 20-50 points
higher than their average blood pressure. (Walgreens, 4) By monitoring at
home, your blood pressure represents your most accurate and average readings
because you are in a comfortable, relaxed environment. With early detection,
"treatment increases 5-year survival from near zero to 75%" as, "it is shown
that, "there is a direct relationship between the magnitude of blood pressure
elevation and the benefit of lowering pressure." The American Academy of
Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians, "recommend that all
adults 18 years and older be screened for hypertension every 1-2 years."
However, it is still important to maintain a consistent record of your
average blood pressure in order to provide accurate diagnoses.Ê (Screening
for Hypertension)
How Stressed Are You?

The following test was developed by psychologists Lyle H. Miller and Alma Dell Smith at Boston University Medical Center. Score each item from 1 (almost always) to 5 (never), according to how much of the time each statement applies to you.

1. I eat at least one hot, balanced meal a day. 1 2 3 4 5

2. I get seven to eight hours sleep at least four nights a week. 1 2 3 4 5

3. I give and receive affection regularly. 1 2 3 4 5

4. I have at least one relative within 50 miles on whom I can rely. 1 2 3 4 5

5. I exercise to the point of perspiration at least twice a week. 1 2 3 4 5

6. I smoke less than a half a pack of cigarettes a day. 1 2 3 4 5

7. I take fewer than five alcoholic drinks per week. 1 2 3 4 5

8. I am the appropriate weight for my height. 1 2 3 4 5

9. I have an income adequate to meet basic expenses. 1 2 3 4 5

10. I get strength from my religious beliefs. 1 2 3 4 5

11. I have one or more friends to confide in about matters. 1 2 3 4 5

12. I have a network of friends and acquaintances. 1 2 3 4 5

13. I regularly attend club or social activities. 1 2 3 4 5

14. I am in good health (including eyesight, hearing, teeth). 1 2 3 4 5

15. I am able to speak openly about my feelings when IÕm angry or worried. 1 2 3 4 5

16. I have regular conversations with the people I live with about domestic problems, including, chores, money and daily living issues. 1 2 3 4 5

17. I do something for fun at least once a week. 1 2 3 4 5

18. I am able to organize my time effectively. 1 2 3 4 5

19. I drink fewer than three cups of coffee (or tea or soda) a day. 1 2 3 4 5

20. I take quiet time for myself during the day. 1 2 3 4 5

Total: To find out your score add up the figures and subtract 20. _________

Any number over 30 indicates a vulnerability to stress.

You are seriously vulnerable if your score is between 50 and 75.

And extremely vulnerable if it is over 75.

How to lighten the load

1. Get organized. Put things back where you found them and you wonÕt go berserk looking for them.
2. Learn to say no. If you donÕt want to and donÕt have to- donÕt.
3. Set your priorities. Endless "to do" lists are a dark cloud over your head. Choose three to five things to do each day.
4. Have faith. Prayer or reflection on a higher power will lighten the load.
5. Let others do their own thing. You are not the general manager of the universe. It doesnÕt have to be done your way. Besides, the same way all of the time would be boring.
6. Give people a break. Other people have bad days too. Be patient and tolerant.
7. Monitor your self-talk. You create some stress for yourself by what you say in your head: "That idiot" or "ItÕs a bad day"
8. Use different words. ItÕs not a problem, itÕs an opportunity.
9. Get rid of clutter. HavenÕt used it yet? Toss it. Open mail over the trash can.
10. Stop blaming others. Only your mind can make you angry- not things, not people. You are in control.

Materials and Methods

Our experimental design is to take blood pressure of 20 first-year architecture/design and 20 first-year Western majors biweekly. Our group will take these readings between 7p.m. and midnight. We will also conduct a survey to accompany the blood pressure results. The survey will consist of questions concerning amount of sleep, homework load, consistency of diet, use of substances such as alcohol/cigarettes, exercise, and a self-evaluation of stress level. These surveys will use a numerical rating system (1-5) that will allow us to easily interpret their health and habits. For example, subjects with the lowest total have the healthiest habits and vice versa. We will evaluate the results by entering the data in Stat-View or Excel. By -graphing the results and interpreting a p-value, our group can decide if there is a correlation between blood pressure/stress and work load/sleep. This should prove, statistically, if there is a relation between the factors. Our materials will include four blood pressure cuffs for our testing, 20 first-year architecture and design students, and 20 first-year Western students. This seems to be the most accurate method for measuring the level among students. We could also measure pulse and see if it factors into the stress level of the students. Our group also discussed measuring the blood pressure of architecture and design students while they are working in studio. There could be a difference in the amount of stress of students depending on their location.

How will we involve our class?
We hope that we will be able to have our Lab Teaching day around the middle of our study. By doing so, we have a few different options that we have yet to decide (based upon when our scheduled class day is) that we will have our classmates participate in. Although the first reaction may be to take our classmates blood pressure in class, we cannot do so because our class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are not our chosen bi-weekly ‘testing’ days. Secondly, a majority (if not all) of our classmates will already be participating in our lab by allowing us to take their blood pressure bi-weekly. One of our ideas that involves the class is to make another subjective questionnaire that is similar to the one we will give our subjects at the beginning and end of our testing, except that the class questionnaire will be less of rating things on numerical values, and instead ask more detailed, and personal questions which entail lengthier responses. Such questions may include specific habits or changes that they have noticed over their time at Miami thus far. For example, do they notice that they sleep less and drink more caffeine?
This questionnaire is indirectly related to our project, because by using this questionnaire only in our class, we are getting a small percentage of our subjects, however it enables us to make note of different correlations that we can refer to in our finalized papers. If timing is right, we may also make the class look over our first 4 weeks of data and analyze it. This would have to be right around the week of November 5-9 so that we would have our first half of our data entered into Stat-View. We can easily break the class down into smaller groups and have them analyze different parts of our results. One group can try to identify a correlation (if any) between the number of hours of sleep vs.. major vs.. blood pressure or how females and males rate their stress differently.Another option that we can have the class do is to help us organize the first set of questionnaires that our test subjects needed to fill out. By doing this,they are saving us a lot of time by grouping how many people rated things on the different scales we set up. All of these options enable us to use our classmates to aid us with our research and data collection. While some may be more beneficial to others, all will work in helping us organize our data and thoughts, and assist us in preferences of our work.

Data Sheet

Subjective Questionnaire
This is a questionnaire that we will have our classmates fill out (see class participation)
How often to you consume alcoholic beverages
1--------2---------3----------4---------------5
2. How often do you smoke cigarettes
1--------2---------3----------4---------------5
3. How often do you exercise (20 mins or more
1--------2---------3----------4---------------5
4. How many meals do you eat daily?
1--------2---------3----------4---------------5
5. How many snacks do you eat
1--------2---------3----------4---------------5
7. How often do you skip a meal
1--------2---------3----------4---------------5
8. Do you take vitamins or supplements daily
if yes what kind___________________
Overall how do you feel about your work load(chose 1)
I canÕt do this anymore, IÕm going to move to Antarctica and never see a college again

SOURCES:

*Walgreens' booklet...* WebMd-- Screening for Hypertension...
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1680.50597
*WebMd-- How to Prevent High Blood PRessure...
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1680.50589
Health Section- The Cincinnati Enquirer, October 10, 2001. Source: The Stress Audit, developed by Lyle H. Miller and Alma Dell Smith, 1993ÊÊ Biobehavioral Associates, Brooklyn Massachusetts. Courtesy of Providence Hospital in Columbia, S.C.
Source: Laura Herbert R.N., coordinator of the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program at Providence Hospital in Columbia, S.C.
information gathered at WebMD

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