As the discussion on cardiovascular diseases is a relevant matter, this paper aimed at analyzing the perceptions of a group of hypertensive persons about their sickness process related to King's conceptual models of personal and interpersonal systems. This descriptive and exploitative study was developed in a reference unit in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, accepted by the Ethics Committee of Ceará State University. 50 hypertensive people participated (34 women and 16 men), ages 23 to 84. Results show fear of complications, satisfaction in adapting to treatment, dissatisfaction with the changes in their life style and resignation towards the disease. The nurse, seen as part of the initial assistance and in contrast with the insecurity shown by the patients, reveals the need of reflexion on the way patients are taken care.
Hypertension; Models, nursing; Nursing theory