[Evaluation of arterial hypertension program in a primary care center]

The rate of detection, confirmation, control and follow-up of hypertension in the Canteres Primary Care Center was evaluated two years after the beginning of the hypertension program from a sample of 1219 clinical records. It was found that 572 individuals (46.9%) had at least one blood pressure reading. Of these, 68.2% had values within the normal range, whereas 9.6% of females and 2.8% of males were known hypertensives. High BP levels were found in 69 (19.9%) females and in 34 (15%) males. Of these 103 individuals, the three BP readings were only completed in 34 (49.3%) females and 12 (35.3%) males, and only 26 and 3, respectively, were considered as new hypertensives. In 87% of hypertensives the follow-up was correct, and 59% had BP within normal limits. It is concluded that priority should be given to more deprived and higher risk groups (males of working age), a new evaluation being proposed at 5 years with the following standards; greater than 80% with BP readings (greater than 95% in individuals older than 30 years), with correct confirmation of the diagnosis in greater than 95% and greater than 80% of control and follow-up.