[Perceptions of hypertensive people on risk factors for the disease].

This paper sought to verify the perceptions of hypertensive people in relation to the risk factors and their experience with high blood pressure in a Reference Center for Cardiovascular Diseases in the city of Salvador. Interviews were staged with 33 hypertensive people. This is a descriptive study, of a qualitative nature, supported by the discourse analysis proposed by Foucault. It was observed that risk factors were confused with hypertension complications. Nevertheless, when the approach changed from "risk factors" to "factors that can increase blood pressure," it was seen that the answers were more coherent with the risk factors classified by the VI Brazilian Policies on Hypertension. Furthermore, it was also observed through the discourses that the perception of increase in blood pressure is directly related to experiences. Therefore, it is necessary that the guidance be transmitted as clearly as possible in order for the understanding to become an important facilitator for controlling the illness. This paper enabled the perception of the risk factors in the viewpoint of these people in such a manner as to supply clues for the interdisciplinary health team to promote healthcare based on the experiences and the socio-economic and cultural context in which these people are inserted.