Introduction:

hypertension is the main risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, therefore, the responsible adoption of antihypertensive treatment is fundamental for the adequate control of the blood pressure figures.

Objective:

to characterize adherence to antihypertensive treatment in elderly patients in the Arroyo Bueno clinic of the "Fausto Favier Favier" polyclinic in the health area of Palenque de Yateras in Guantánamo province from June to December 2017.

Method:

a study was conducted descriptive, cross-sectional in the 21 hypertensive elderly patients of the office. The information was obtained through an interview with patients and relatives supported by a guide in correspondence with the variables to be investigated (age, sex, prescribed medication, associated diseases, undesirable effects) and the medical records. Adherence was assessed according to the Morisky-Green Self-Reported Compliance Test.

Results:

57.1% of the patients corresponded to the female sex and 52.4% were between 60 and 60 years of age; Most of the older adults did not have their blood pressure under control, 66.7% and in 80.9% of them inadequate adherence to antihypertensive treatment was identified for various reasons, but non-compliance due to adverse drug reactions was the most frequent. 28.6%; among these, the decline was reported in 52.4%, night cough in 47.6% and muscle cramps in 33.3%.

Conclusions:

the majority of patients did not adhere to antihypertensive treatment for various reasons, but the fear of adverse reactions prevailed, a situation that conditioned the poor control of their blood pressure.

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