[A strategic family medicine model for controlling borderline and mild arterial hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To research on the relationship of the patient and his/her family as a non-pharmacological factor for blood hypertension. To determine whether a hyposodic, hypocaloric, hypofat, and hypocholesterolemic diet decreases the blood tension. To determine whether physical exercises in the patient and his/her family help to reduce the hypertension. To observe whether the psychological therapy of muscles relaxation helps to reduce the hypertension. To evaluate in the sample of families, the experience of each member, as well as their suggestions and complaints about the programme. To design the strategic model to control the blood tension by ambulatory means.


METHODS
Controlled intervention study, descriptive, non-randomized, prospective. PLACEMENT: Primary care.


METHODS
Study group of 10 patients, 10 wives, and 12 children, and control group of 10 patients excluding family members.


METHODS
With both groups (study and control) there were meetings every 15 days for 6 months according to an established schedule. In the meetings there were given talks, pamphlets, physical exercises, muscles relaxation therapy, all about blood hypertension. There were questionnaires before and after each activity. MEASURING AND MAIN RESULTS: In both groups (study and control) there was a statistically significant (t < 0.01) reduction in the weight. The blood systolic tension decreased in both positions, seated and standing, in the study group (difference statistically significant) but not so in the control group, although there was a non-significant difference (decrease of 1.5 mmHg) in the seated position. The diastolic tension decreased significantly in the study group both in seated and standing positions, not so in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study sample showed that systolic tension seated and standing had a statistically significant reduction in the study group but not so in the control group. The weight had statistically significant reduction in both study and control groups. Total cholesterol had statistically significant decrease in the study group but not in the control group. HDL-C had statistically significant reduction in the study group; in the control group there was a decrease but not statistically significant. The triglycerides did not decrease statistically significant in any of the groups (study and control).
Uzcátegui Contreras
D
D
Centro de Medicina Familiar Paramillo, Facultad de Medicina, IPAS-ME, Venezuela.
Granadillo Vera
D
D
Salinas
P J
PJ
Alvarez
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005190:Family; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014687:Venezuela
Modelo estratégico de medicina familiar para controlar hipertensión arterial limítrofe y leve.