Prevalence of Stage 1 Hypertension among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Physiotherapy Students

Background: Hypertension is increasingly reported in young adults, but data on physiotherapy students remain limited. This study examined the prevalence of Stage 1 Hypertension and associated factors among physiotherapy students in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 students (mean age 22.1 years). Blood pressure was measured using 2025 AHA/ACC guidelines, and demographic and lifestyle data were analysed using Chi-square, correlation, and logistic regression. Results: Stage 1 Hypertension prevalence was 60%. Males showed higher prevalence (72.5% vs 52%). Family history correlated significantly with hypertension (p = 0.048). Male gender, family history, and a non-vegetarian diet were independent predictors, explaining 41% of variance. Conclusions: Stage 1 Hypertension is common among physiotherapy students. Early screening, lifestyle guidance, and stress-management interventions should be incorporated into physiotherapy training to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.