Original scientific paper
Perception of Arterial Hypertension and Myocardial Infarction in hypertensive and Normotensive Men and Women
Aleksandar Ljubotina
Eris Materljan
Vladimir Mićović
Miljenko Kapović
Vesna Štefanac-Nadarević
Dejan Ivošević
Abstract
The research aims were to test perception of arterial hypertension and myocardial infarction in hypertensive and normotensive
men and women as well as to test perception of arterial hypertension and myocardial infarction as predictors of
blood pressure control in hypertensives. In the research 470 subjects of 4 general practices from Rijeka, Croatia participated,
hypertensive group from the list of hypertensive patients without cardiovasular complications and other major chronic
conditions, normotensive group from the list of patients without chronic conditions. Each group had 235 subjects, 128
men and 107 women. Perception of hypertension and myocardial infarction was measured as the result on semantic differential
questionnaire. Factor analysis extracted evaluation, potency and activity factor. Blood pressure control was interpreteted
on the five degrees scale. Statistical significance was defined under 5% (p<0.05). Hypertensive subjects perceived
hypertension as less negative and more active, while myocardial infarction was percieved as more potent term than by normotensives.
Women perceived myocardial infarction as less negative, and less potent term than men. Both groups perceived
myocardial infarction as more negative, potent and active term than hypertension. Normotensive women evaluated hypertension
as more negative, and percieved myocardial infarction as less potent than other subjects. Well-controlled hypertension
was correlated with a lower potency of hypertension and lower activity of myocardial infarction. Both conditions are
perceived as more »male« diseases. As perception of hypertnsion and myocardial infarction is correlated with blood pressure
regulation in hypertensives, and hypertension is major risk factor for myocardial infarction, family doctors should put
additional effort in changing perception of cardiovascular diseases in their patients, especially in women.
Keywords
perception; hypertension; myocardial infarction; semantic differential; gender
Hrčak ID:
64766
URI
Publication date:
7.3.2011.
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