Abstract
Background: Increased body mass index (BMI) and adiposity are considered a major health hazards. Overweight and obesity are associated with numerous diseases. Obesity independently can lead to the development of various health problems or can potentiate health problems in association with other risk factors. According to the scientific data available, people of different blood groups of the ABO system are susceptible to certain specific diseases. Rate pressure product (RPP) is one of the valuable markers of cardiac function. Increased RPP, an index of myocardial work stress, is an indicator of cardiovascular risk.

Aim and Objective: The present study is taken up to find out the association between RPP, BMI, and ABO blood groups.

Materials and Methods: A total of 143 subjects participated in the study. BMI was calculated using Quetelet’s index and categorized based on consensus for Asian population. Blood grouping was done by slide agglutination technique and subjects were grouped into A, B, AB, and O blood groups. RPP was calculated as product of systolic blood pressure and heart rate. Data collected were analyzed using suitable statistical tests.

Results: There is a statistically significant difference in RPP of males and females, with males having a higher RPP (P = 0.037) and statistically significant association between gender and RPP (P = 0.044); 60% of males had a raised RPP. There is no statistically significant difference in RPP across BMI categories (P = 0.939) and no statistically significant association between BMI and RPP (P = 0.512). Although not statistically significant, RPP was higher in AB blood group in males and was lower in O blood group in females. There was no statistically significant correlation between blood groups and RPP in both male and female young adults.

Conclusions: Males have higher RPP. There is no difference in RPP across BMI categories and no significant association between BMI and RPP. There is no association between blood groups and RPP in young adults.

Key words: Body Mass Index; Gender; Rate Pressure Product; Blood Groups; ABO System