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Hypertension in older adults in the urban area of Cuenca

Abstract:

Introduction: The population of older adults has increased, and with it chronic non communicable diseases such as hypertension, considered a public health problem. Objective: To determine the frequency of hypertension in older adults of urban parishes in the city of Cuenca. Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out in 378 older adults. It was considered hypertensive after two blood pressure measurements taken at least one week apart, in which the systolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg. Hypertensive people were characterized according to sociodemographic parameters, family history, nutritional status and physical activity. For the sampling, census areas of each parish were used, with simple random sampling. The data were analyzed and processed in the SPSS program version 15.0, using frequency distribution, measures of central tendency: Mean and dispersion measures: Standard deviation. Results: The frequency of hypertensive was 52.5%, 65.1% of hypertensive patients were women and 34.9% were men. 57.6% of hypertensive patients were between 65 and 74 years of age. 41.2% had complete primary education. 76.4% did not have an occupation with salary remuneration. 51.2% had no family history of hypertension. 40% performed physical activity moderately and 41.9% presented obesity. Conclusion: The frequency of hypertension in urban older adults exceeds the global figures established for this age group.