This study aimed to know the types of support offered by the network of social support and implications on hypertensive life. Qualitative study whose methodology was based on Grounded Theory. 35 people were interviewed between October 2008 and August 2010, 22 hypertensive compulsorily enrolled in HIPERDIA at a Health Unit in Belém / PA, 5 family members, 5 health professionals and 3 representatives of community institutions, referenced by hypertensive patients, as members of the network support. Data were subjected to coding procedures: analysis, comparison and categorization. The category "Identifying the types of social support offered to people in their living with hypertension" was the Intervening Condition of the Theory. The types of emotional, informational and instrumental support originated mainly from family relationships and may mean alternative treatments, featuring a care focused on people with hypertension and their network of relationships which requires attention from healthcare professionals, including nurses.
Social support; Chronic disease; Nursing; Hypertension