Socio-demographic aspects that influence the decision of taking up antihypertensive treatment

Abstract

The systemic arterial hypertension is a chronic disease, which raises many serious cardiac complications and changes the functioning of important organs like kidneys, brain and eyes. Hypertension as well as anti-hypertensive treatment are pro­bably influenced by socio-demographic factors. This study aimed to describe the data of socio-demographic characteristics of hypertensive patients attended at the family health primary care center of the São Jose district comparing them with the findings of the Nova Esperança district and Cidade Verde IV units. Most results agreed with previous studies being different only at the educational level. The information obtained is important to the health professionals because it facilitates the de­velopment of strategies for primary and secondary prevention in order to improve the assistance provided to users.