State of knowledge about hypertension and its complications in population of swietokrzyskie province

Abstract

Background: Arterial hypertension (HA) is one of the mostfrequent cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study wasto assess the state of knowledge about frequency, diagnosisand complications in adult population of swietokrzyskieprovince.

Material and methods: The study group consisted of 301people in average age of 36.9 ± 9.6 yrs old, including163 women (54.2%) and 138 men (45.8%). We performedrandom recrutation from general adult population and theoriginal questionnaire form of data collecting.

Results: In matter of frequency of HA in Poland, 60.1%women vs 59.4% men answered incorrectly. Impact of HAon cardiovascular diseases development: hypertensive menanswered correctly the most frequently (cerebral infarct85.2%, coronary artery disease 70.4%, heart failure 100%).22.5% men and 8% women claimed that HA is not coronaryartery disease risk factor. Men vs women — bloodpressure limit in diagnosing HA: 33.3% vs 11.6% answeredcorrectly; 38.2% vs 31.3% in age 31–50 answered correctlythe most frequently among age subgroups, in age group18–30 only 10.0% vs 5.6%. Normotensives vs hypertensivesanswered correctly more frequently regardless gender.

Conclusions: Knowledge about blood pressure limit indiagnosing HA is poor, nevertheless generally men knowbetter than women and people over 30 yrs old know betterthan younger people. Knowledge about role of HA incardiovascular complications and organ damage is satisfyingregardless gender and HA anamnesis. Diagnosis ofHA is not related to state of knowledge about HA and itscomplications.