[Attitude of the health care professionals toward hypertension in the health service area of Salamanca].

A survey was carried out in the ten Health Centers in Salamanca using a questionnaire about aspects related with hypertension, the material used, diagnostic methods, risk factors, therapeutic approach, and management of hypertensive paroxysms and emergencies. Participation was 59.5% and the median age 36 years. There was a definite male predominance (85.3%). The use of three blood pressure readings in successive visits for the diagnosis was preferred by the professionals with younger working age [Cl = 8.8 to 12.8 years; (p less than 0.05)]. Regarding the type of Center (rural, urban, semiurban), significant differences regarding the investigated issues could not be established. The most relevant conclusions were deficiencies such as inadequacy of cuffs (53.3%), lack of calibration of sphygmomanometers (41.9%), introduction of thestethoscope within the cuff (34.7%), use of beta-blockers in hypertensive diabetics (13.5%).