The objective of this exploratory-descriptive study is to describe the social and demographic profile of the care-giving family of people with arterial hypertension, in order to evaluate current knowledge about the illness and therapeutical procedures, as well as to identify the care given. It was developed in the League of Arterial Hypertension of the Messejana Hospital in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, with 400 relatives hypertensive patients. The data was collected through a structured guidebook. The results were presented in tables and charts, and analyzed based upon appropriate literature. The average care-giving family was between 20 and 79 years old, with 80.2% of the group composed of women. Over 50% were sons or daughters, and 15.3% situated between 60 and 79 years of age. We conclude that the public health care policies must be thought of as much to favor access and the permanence of the person with arterial hypertension in treatment, as to provide necessary support for the family who participates effectively in the care of its family member with arterial hypertentsion.
Family; Hypertension; Attention
