Hypertension Health Literacy Scale (HK-LS) Test

In 5 minutes, see how well someone understands high blood pressure, from causes and treatment to healthy habits. This 22 item check spots knowledge gaps fast and helps tailor education and care.
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Questions225 minutes
Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.
08:30
October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025
Material has been updated
23,086 views
2,135 completions
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Verified by Daniel Hall
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How the Scales are Structured

example score
2/5
Complications (C)
Measures knowledge of the major health complications that can result from untreated arterial hypertension.
Limited awareness
Partial awareness
Strong awareness
01Limited awareness23Partial awareness45Strong awareness
A score of 2 indicates partial awareness of potential complications of untreated hypertension, with some key risks not fully recognized.
example score
2/2
Diet (D)
Assesses knowledge of dietary practices relevant to managing arterial hypertension.
Limited knowledge
Strong knowledge
01Limited knowledge2Strong knowledge
A score of 2 indicates strong awareness of nutrition choices and dietary routines that support blood pressure control.
example score
3/5
Lifestyle (L)
Measures knowledge of lifestyle changes that support controlling arterial hypertension.
Limited
Moderate
Strong
01Limited23Moderate45Strong
A score of 3 indicates a moderate understanding of lifestyle habits relevant to hypertension control, with some areas of knowledge still incomplete.
example score
2/4
Medication Adherence (MA)
Measures understanding of the importance of taking hypertension medications consistently as prescribed.
Low adherence knowledge
Moderate adherence knowledge
High adherence knowledge
01Low adherence knowledge23Moderate adherence knowledge4High adherence knowledge
A score of 2 indicates moderate knowledge about the need for regular medication use in hypertension management.
example score
1/4
Treatment (T)
Measures how well a person understands core principles and options for managing arterial hypertension through treatment.
Limited understanding
Basic understanding
Strong understanding
01Limited understanding23Basic understanding4Strong understanding
A score of 1 falls in the Limited understanding range, suggesting notable gaps in knowledge about hypertension treatment approaches.
example score
1/2
Interpretation (I)
Measures how well a person can understand and interpret blood pressure readings and what they mean.
Limited
Basic
Strong
0Limited1Basic2Strong
A score of 1 suggests basic ability to interpret blood pressure numbers, with some gaps in understanding their meaning.
example score
14/22
Overall Health Literacy (OHL)
Measures overall hypertension-related health literacy, including understanding of the condition, its causes, treatment, and prevention.
Low literacy
Moderate literacy
High literacy
013Low literacy1420Moderate literacy2122High literacy
A score of 14 indicates a moderate overall level of hypertension knowledge and understanding on the HK-LS.
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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

People with high blood pressure
46%OF USERS
Adults diagnosed with hypertension take it to check how well they understand causes, treatment, and daily habits that keep blood pressure controlled.
At-risk adults and families
33%OF USERS
People with risk factors like obesity, smoking, diabetes, stress, or family history use it to spot knowledge gaps before complications develop.
Clinicians and researchers
21%OF USERS
Doctors, nurses, educators, and study teams use it to screen groups quickly and tailor education to the participant’s understanding.
BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.
RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly
Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.
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Interpretation
You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.
Statistical
Comparison
See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.
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Recommendations
You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.
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Insights
Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.
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Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.
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Used in 52+ countries
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See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Complications (C)
Average
2.3
Normal range
1.72.9
min.
0
max.
5
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Diet (D)
Average
0.6
Normal range
0.30.9
min.
0
max.
2
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Lifestyle (L)
Average
1.9
Normal range
1.12.6
min.
0
max.
5
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Medication adherence (Ma)
Average
2.8
Normal range
2.23.4
min.
0
max.
4
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Treatment (T)
Average
1.1
Normal range
0.61.7
min.
0
max.
4
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Definition (D)
Average
0.5
Normal range
0.20.9
min.
0
max.
2
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
General literacy level (Gll)
Average
15.8
Normal range
12.319.4
min.
0
max.
22
Majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?
It measures knowledge of high blood pressure, including causes, treatment approaches, and lifestyle guidance. It also covers possible complications of uncontrolled blood pressure.
Who can complete this questionnaire?
It is intended for adults in clinical, community, or research settings. It may be used for screening or for evaluating educational needs.
How long does it take and how many items are included?
It includes 22 questions and usually takes about 5 minutes to complete.
How should responses be selected?
Select the best answer for each item based on current understanding. If uncertain, choose the most accurate option rather than leaving items blank.
How are results used?
Results are used to identify gaps in understanding and to guide education or counseling topics. They are not a diagnosis and do not replace clinical evaluation.
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment
Hypertension Health Literacy Scale, HK-LS Test

Hypertension Health Literacy Scale (HK-LS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

This measure assesses an individual’s health literacy related to hypertension. The Hypertension Health Literacy Scale (HK-LS) is designed to screen understanding of hypertension concepts relevant to self-management and clinical communication.

The instrument includes 22 items and typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. Items broadly cover knowledge of hypertension, contributing factors, treatment and control strategies, lifestyle recommendations, and potential complications when hypertension is not adequately managed.

In clinical and research contexts, the Hypertension Health Literacy Scale (HK-LS) can be used to identify gaps in patient knowledge and to inform targeted education or counseling. It is attributed to Mark V. Williams and David W. Baker.

Author: David W. Baker, Mark V. Williams
Literature: Baker, D. W. The meaning and the measure of health literacy. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2006.; Baliz Erkoc, S., Isikli, B., Metintas, S., & Kalyoncu, C. Hypertension knowledge-level scale (HK-LS): A study on development, validity and reliability. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2012.; Arthur, J. P., Mantovani, M. F., Ferraz, M. I. R., Mattei, A. T., Kalinke, L. P., & Corpolato, R. C. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the hypertension knowledge-level scale for use in Brazil. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem. 2018.
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