Revista de hipertensión: acceso abierto

Aim: To check the knowledge of hypertension amongst undergraduate physiotherapy students.

Background: Hypertension is considered to be a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risk of heart, brain, kidney and other diseases. It is also called the “silent killer”. Sedentary lifestyle, obesity, excessive salt intake, consumption of tobacco are risk factors of hypertension. Hypertension is present in the curriculum of the 4 year long bachelor of physiotherapy course where main emphasis on this topic is usually in the last year of the course.

Case description: 125 students filled a hypertension knowledge assessment questionnaire. The mean result obtained was 12.8 from an 18 point questionnaire.

Conclusion: The study concludes that there is moderate knowledge of hypertension amongst undergraduate physiotherapy students.

Clinical significance: Knowledge of hypertension is needed in physiotherapy students to help prescribe a proper exercise regime for patients suffering from hypertension and also help them improve their quality of life. Physiotherapist can also play a major role in preventing hypertension.