A convivência da família com a hipertensão arterial

Abstract

Hypertension is a chronic condition, of a multifactor nature, affecting a large number of people. When not appropriately treated, it can be a precursor for other problems such as stroke, heart attack, and other heart conditions. Controlling hypertension is closely linked to changes in life habits related to diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation, among others. In this context, the family plays a fundamental role in the health maintenance of its members, and its involvement has arisen as an important factor in the treatment and control of hypertension. Thus, this study had as objective to understand the family experience of caring for people with arterial hypertension in different stages of this condition. To that end, a qualitative study was conducted, using Grounded Theory as methodological reference and Symbolic Interactionism as theoretical reference. Fourteen families who dealt with hypertension, from the city of Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil, were interviewed in the period between March and July 2007. They formed 5 sample groups, according to the development stage of the hypertension being: five families with a member suffering from controlled hypertension, thus never needed hospitalization; two families with a member suffering from uncontrolled hypertension, three families with a member who is physically disabled due to arterial hypertension, two families with a member who died due to complications from hypertension, and two families with a child suffering from hypertension. Data was obtained through interviews with the families in their homes, after their consent. These interviews were recorded, and some observations made by the researcher were logged in a field diary. They were later analyzed through the scope of the mentioned theoretical and methodological references. The experience of caring with a chronic illness, within the family context, was expressed through the "Family dealing with Arterial Hypertension" phenomenon, which is composed of some conceptual elements, united by the following themes: Family conceptions of health and illness; Caring for hypertension control; Living the dependence situation; Receiving family care; and Taking notice of assistance from the health care system. This theoretical model, continuous and unfinished, reveals characteristics of the family's coexistence with hypertension and offers guidance for health professionals, aiming for familydirected assistance, based on the concepts, symbols and relationships of their members with their environment.