CorSalud (Dec 2009)
FACTORES RELACIONADOS CON LA URGENCIA HIPERTENSIVA EN UN ÁREA DE SALUD URBANA DE SANTA CLARA / Factors linked to hypertensive emergency in an urban health area of Santa Clara
Abstract
Introduction and objectives: Arterial hypertension manifest itself in many individuals with the appearance of an acute event, the hypertensive emergency, which takes place many times in hypertensive individuals who have not been diagnosed or who have been incorrectly treated. The aim of this research is to characterize the factors linked to the hypertensive emergency. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study in a sample formed by 150 patients presenting the above mentioned condition who were treated at the Emergency Department of the Santa Clara Polyclinic during the period from January 2007 to January 2008. The clinical and epidemiological variables were gathered by means of interviews with the patients. Chi square was used in the statistical analysis. Results: There was a predominance of male patients (54 %), the age group between 46 and 60 years of age (54 %) and the white race in both sexes (57,4 %). The most common associated illnesses were ischemic heart disease (18.6 %) and diabetes mellitus (14 %). Captopril was the first therapeutic choice in 82,7 percent of the cases, presenting a high resolution rate (80,6 %). It was determined that 49 percent of the patients were not correctly controlled, and that the adherence to the pharmacologic treatment was moderate in 49,3 percent and bad in 30 percent of the cases. Conclusions: The hypertensive emergency prevailed in males and in the age group between 46 and 60 years of age. Ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus were the most common associated illnesses; as well as a family history of arterial hypertension, smoking and obesity as atherosclerotic risk factors. Arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus were associated with a higher lack of response to standard therapy. Captopril was the most commonly usedmedication, showing a high resolution rate. The lack of adherence to the treatment and the inadequate control prevailed.
