[High blood pressure among bank employees in Rio de Janeiro. Life-style and treatment].
OBJECTIVE
This study estimates the frequency of treatment of high blood pressure and compares life-styles among hypertensives and non-hypertensives.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study in a systematic sample of 1183 employees in a government-owned bank in the State of Rio de Janeiro, through a self-administered questionnaire. Direct measurements of arterial pressure, weight and height were also taken in a sub-sample. Those who had been informed more than once as having high blood pressure, by a health professional, were classified as hypertensives.


RESULTS
There were no important differences among hypertensives and non-hypertensives with respect to the prevalence of smoking, alcohol and physical activities. Dieting was more frequent among overweight/obese hypertensives than overweight/obese non-hypertensives. Only 44.7% were under treatment. Subjects with high level of education were more likely to be treated as were those who quit smoking, presented overweight/obesity or family history of cerebrovascular diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Access to information and health care was not sufficient to guarantee high blood pressure treatment or a healthy life-style which contributes to hypertension control.
Chor
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Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro.
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires