This study aims to analyse data on hypertensive individuals and their concern about the disease as well as to verify the communication process that took place between the individuals and the health staff working with them. Sixty-six individuals were interviewed and we obtained 73 statements. The majority of them (69 narratives) expressed correlation to high blood pressure concepts even though in a poorly elaborated form. Although 95% of the patients referred to the illness, it does not mean that the orientations were understood. Nurses are expected to perform an important role in the multiprofessional team, identifying possible obstacles to the process of communication in order to enable the clients' comprehension and their self care.