RESUMEN Introduccion. La hipertension arterial se define como un aumento en la presion arterial, con elevaciones sobre las presiones arteriales sistolica y diastolica. El presente estudio se plantea para determinar las cifras de presion arterial y frecuencia de algunos factores de riesgo en estudiantes de la Universidad de Manizales. Materiales y Metodos. De los 2916 estudiantes de horario diurno de la Universidad de Manizales (Caldas, Colombia) para el primer semestre de 2009 fueron seleccionados 258 estudiantes, con el objetivo de participar en el estudio, tenian edades comprendidas entre 16 y 41 anos, con un promedio de 20 anos. Se empleo un instrumento previamente disenado para recoger informacion sobre factores de riesgo para hipertension arterial y datos como tension arterial, altura, peso, estrato social y otros. Resultados. Se encontro que 45,7% de los estudiantes tenian cifras tensionales en rango de prehipertension y 5% en rango de hipertension estadio I. Se encontro un indice de 27,1% de obesidad abdominal y un 18,6% de sobrepeso. Los resultados no mostraron significancia estadistica con relacion a los factores de riesgo para hipertension arterial. Se encontro una relacion importante entre la facultad y los niveles de tension arterial. Conclusiones. Este estudio encuentra que la poblacion esta expuesta a uno o varios factores de riesgo tales como consumo de alcohol, tabaquismo, falta de actividad fisica y cifras tensionales en niveles de prehipertension e hipertension grado 1; surge la necesidad de implantar programas educativos encaminados a la modificacion de habitos no saludables. Palabras clave: Hipertension. Factores de riesgo. Adulto joven. SUMMARY Measurement of blood pressure and risk factors associated with high blood pressure in the students of la Universidad de Manizales, Colombia, in 2009Introduction: High blood pressure is defined as an increase in blood pressure, with elevations on systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The purpose of the present study was to determine the blood pressure values and the present of some risk factors for hypertension in the student population of the Universi-dad de Manizales. Materials and Methods: Of the 2916 daytime students at the University of Manizales (Caldas, Colombia) in the first semester of 2009, 258 students were chosen to participate. The age range was between 16 and 41 years with an average of 20 years. A previously designed survey was used in order to collect information about risk factors for high blood pressure, and data such as blood pressure, height, weight, social stratum and other risk factors. Results: A frequency of 45,7% of blood pressure at the level of pre-hypertension was found, and 5% of at the level of type 1 HBP, this didn’t mean that these students actually suffered of HBP. Abdominal obesity was found in 27,1% and overweight in 18,6%. The results didn’t show statistic significance in relation to the risk factors of HBP. A significant relation was determined between the faculty and the levels of blood pressure. Conclusions. By stating that this population is exposed to one or more risk factors such as alcohol consumption, tabaquism, physical inactivity, and levels of pre-hypertension and hypertension grade 1; arises the necessity of promoting educational programs aimed at changing unhealthy habits, and possibly establish a program of prevention and health promotion in order to improve academic performance, and improve the life expectancy of students. Key Words: Hypertension. Risk factors. Young adult.