Idosos com hipertensão arterial autorreferida: um recorte da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde.

Abstract

Aging is an inherent process of human life that leads to the emergence of pathologies that interfere with the individual's life condition. The non-communicable chronic diseases are among the main diseases affecting this age group, among them the systemic arterial hypertension that affects mainly the elderly, presents high prevalence in the population, is a risk factor for cardiovascular complications and interferes in the life quality of this population. The study aimed to identify the health pattern of brazilian elderly people through the presence of arterial hypertension; Identify the profile of these elderly people and list the main complications self-reported by elderly people with hypertension. This is a epidemiological, cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative, population-based study, using the existing data in the national health research database conducted in 2013, the analysis was by proportion, average, with the SPSS® software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences - version 20.0). It was observed that 5,524 elderly people interviewed self-referenced the diagnosis of hypertension, most of them female, can read and write, have low schooling, have only elementary school, married, non-white race/color. The most received orientation of health professionals was the low sodium intake. The elderly in the sample evaluate their health as regular and report that hypertension does not limit their activities. The most prevalent health complications were AMI, and the stroke. It is concluded that hypertension continues to be a serious public health problem, and requires the most effective planning of actions by professionals and managers to be developed in health services, so that the elderly can be better followed. More emphasis is needed on prevention strategies, control and treatment of hypertension and its complications