Level of knowledge of risk factors for high blood pressure in patients at the B IESS Quinindé- Esmeraldas Health Center

Abstract

Introduction: high blood pressure is among the main causes of premature death worldwide, and is the main risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Objective: to determine the level of knowledge of risk factors for high blood pressure in patients at the B IESS – Quinindé Health Center.
Method: a quantitative, observational and descriptive study was carried out related to the level of knowledge about risk factors for high blood pressure in patients who attended the B IESS Quinindé Health Center during the course of 2021. The population consisted of 200 patients, creating a sample of 200 patients. The anonymity of the individuals was maintained and confidentiality rights were respected.
Results: 58% in the age range of 20-49, with a predominance of the female sex with 65%, 33.5% consume fruit with a frequency of 1 to 3 days. Regarding the portions of fruit they consume in a week, 45.5% responded that they do not know how to express the portions they consume, 18.0% perform light physical activity, among them 32.5% do not present alterations in the respiratory and cardiac constants when performing this activity. According to the body mass index, which is normal in 59.5%, it is observed that 35.0% have consumed alcohol at some time, 49% do not smoke.
Conclusions: it was determined that there is a low level of knowledge of the risk factors for arterial hypertension in patients of the B IESS Health Center - Quinindé, Esmeraldas, within the aspects where the lack of knowledge could be most evident was about diet, physical activity, tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption.