Hypertension as a disease |
Accept that hypertension is a chronic disease |
See hypertension as a temporary physiological reaction to stress |
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Importance of hypertension |
Hypertension has the potential to cause major damage but minor in comparison with diabetes |
Hypertension has the potential to cause major damage |
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Impact of disease |
As opposed to diabetes, which cause cumulative damage hypertension does no immediate damage and is a long term risk factor for an outcome that may or may not happen |
Hypertension does no immediate damage and is a long term risk factor for an outcome that may or may not happen |
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Coping mechanisms |
Treatment is easy compared to care of diabetes and becomes part of their routine |
Treatment can be overwhelming and there are several different coping mechanisms |
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Impact of medication on sexual function |
Effect is acknowledged but thought to be minor compared with diabetes |
None of the male participants acknowledged any impact |