Abstract
Background
In the perspective of the social determinants of health, Systemic Arterial Hypertension presents complex multifactorial nature. This cardiovascular risk factor is influenced by behavioral, economic, social, political and environmental aspects.
Objective
To investigate the relationship between social determinants of health and global cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients assisted in the secondary care service of the Unified Health System.
Method
An analytical sectional study with patients from Centro Hiperdia in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data of social determinants were collected through a structured questionnaire. The classification of cardiovascular risk (high, moderate and low) was based on clinical data. The statistic considered significance level 5%.
Results
Among 231 participants, the majority (64.1%) presented high cardiovascular risk, associated with clinical data: high systolic blood pressure (p=0.04) and longer diagnostic time (p=0.01). High cardiovascular risk was associated with social determinants: satisfaction with access to health services (p=0.02) and healthy physical environment (p=0.02).
Conclusion
Although satisfaction with the health services and the physical environment presented reversed results, we suggest the strengthening of health care policies and practices that recognize different determinants, and prevent the severity of cardiovascular risk.
Keywords:
hypertension; chronic disease; risk factors; epidemiological surveillance; health inequalities