Introduction: Quilombola communities possess an inestimable cultural and historical
wealth, they also face a series of health challenges that are rooted in persistent
socioeconomic, historical, and racial inequalities. Among the challenges is Systemic
Arterial Hypertension (SAH), a chronic health condition, limited access to quality health
services, lack of basic sanitation, poverty and discrimination, as well as the scarcity of
epidemiological studies that characterize the health situation of these populations,
allowing the design for the implementation and monitoring of actions and policies aimed
at improving their living and health conditions. Objective: To conduct a systematic
review in order to investigate risk factors and barriers to the diagnosis, treatment and
control of hypertension in these communities. Methods: Systematic search in Google
Scholar, PubMed, Virtual Health Library, Scientific Electronic Library Online SCIELO,
Caderno de Saúde Pública CSP, Elsevier Science Direct and Biblioteca Brasileira de
Teses e Dissertações BDTD using the combinations of the descriptors: ''Hypertension''
and ''Quilombolas''. The data were extracted and organized for analysis.
Results/Discussion: A total of 348 articles were selected in the period 2013-2023 and,
according to the studies surveyed, only 77 had any direct relationship with the present
review. Thus, it was possible to perceive that SAH has a high prevalence in Afro Brazilians and is a consequence of a historical process that has its genesis in aggravating
factors constructed in the slave period (torture, forced labor, misery, spiritual anguish,
anxiety and fear). Alcohol, smoking, unbalanced diet, stress and other factors are
responsible for increasing the risks for the development of SAH. Conclusion: This
systematic review revealed the high prevalence of arterial hypertension in quilombolas
and demonstrated that little is known about the true risk factors for the development of
the disease in these populations. Thus, the high prevalence of arterial hypertension found
reinforces the need for a broad program of promotion and access to health services for
early diagnosis, as well as guidance for the appropriate management of this condition.
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