ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS FOR ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN MEN AT A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

Abstract

ABSTRACT: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) affects 20 to 40% of the adult population, with the highest prevalence among men. It is observed that different aspects of the health condition and the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles contribute to the increase in SAH diagnoses. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for SAH in men aged 20 to 59 years in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the State of Piauí. This is a descriptive-explanatory field research, with a quantitative and qualitative approach. Participants were chosen by lot through the use of an electronic application. Data were entered into the Excel 2010 program and simple statistical analysis was performed: percentage. Sixty men were interviewed, of which 50% were between 20 and 29 years old; the majority (61.6%) self-reported brown color; 21.6% had pre-hypertension; 33.30% had a family history of heart disease; only 13.30% said they used to consult; 23.3% reported the practice of adding salt to prepared foods; 23.30% reported having their meals away from home. The study showed that patients with altered blood pressure (BP) were professors, a group that, according to the literature, is among the professionals with the most stress today. The data from this study and its evaluation show that students, professors and other male workers at the HEI live with risk factors for SAH, such as family history of heart disease, low demand for health services, addition of salt to prepared foods, brown or black. Such data can contribute to greater attention of HEIs in carrying out health education and an alert for students and workers themselves in order to modify behaviors and habits that harm health and, consequently, the performance of their activities.