Introduction. Hypertension is a chronic disease of the circulatory system, caused by improper lifestyle. Its frequency increases with age. Aim. Determination of the effect between the sense of self-efficacy and locus of health control as a determinant in maintaining optimal health. Material and methods. The study was conducted in a group of 95 people diagnosed with high blood pressure, which are under constant care in the Municipal Clinic in Bukowiec (Kujawsko-Pomorskie), using the Generalized Self Efficacy Scale (GSES) and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC-B) by Zygfryd Juczyński . Results. Patients suffering from hypertension are slightly different from each other in a sense of self-efficacy and the type of locus of health control. The patients with a higher sense of self-efficacy practice the best results in health checkups. A significant portion of patients is characterized by a high sense of self-efficacy and the internal locus of health control, which indicates high awareness of the health of patients and the feeling that they are able to cope with many difficult situations. Conclusions. Based on the results of the tests, it is possible to identify the health needs of this group of people. Consequently, this will result in targeted psychoeducational programms, which will contribute to a radical change in lifestyle, leading to the expected health improvement.

Key words: hypertension, self-efficacy, health locus of control.