Hypertension: A Quasi-Experimental Study

The Population (P), issue of Interest (I), Comparison or control (C), Outcome (O), and timeframe (T) format was used to develop the project question which guided the search for literature (Riva et al., 2012). The PICOT question devised for this EBP is; In patients with HBP (P), how does a home-based educational blood pressure monitoring educational intervention (I) compared to no education (C) improve patients’ knowledge and self-efficacy (O) within an eight-week timeframe (T).

Modern medical advancements have significantly decreased the prevalence and severity of infectious disease as well as the treatment of acute, traumatic conditions. Pharmacological research has also gained insight into the management of chronic disease. Still, there is an epidemic of chronic, treatable diseases like stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. Hypertension proves to be the underlying factor associated with these diseases. Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer because of its indication in deadly disease, and the importance of monitoring ones blood pressure is vital. Lifestyle, diet, and genetic predisposition are all factors of high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure above safe levels, known as hypertension, puts elevated physical stress on the renal and cardiovascular systems. By controlling this factor in patients, healthcare providers can decrease cardiovascular events, improve health outcomes, and decrease overall mortality. Patient education is often overlooked in its role in the control and prevention of high blood pressure. This paper analyzes the causes and physiology behind high blood pressure as they relate to the current nursing interventions. The role of nurses is discussed in relation to patient education regarding high blood pressure, and educational approaches are analyzed.

The appearance of Dr. Miles Channing’s and David Riley’s Blood Pressure Protocol is opportune if you consider the soaring number of people today clinically diagnosed as overweight or obese. People are also starting to realize the link between high blood pressure, health issues, and lifestyle. And, people with high blood pressure begin to look for alternative solutions to the disease because of the experienced side effects of pharmacological and behavioral treatments.

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, and its prevalence rate is approximately 1 billion in 2000 people around the world (Hanus, Simões, Amboni, Ceretta, & Tuon, 2015). Additionally, HTN is a major risk factor for kidney, brain, and eye complications. Complications from HTN cause an estimated 9.4 million deaths per year (Kjeldsen et al., 2014). To reduce high morbidity rates and complications related to uncontrolled high blood pressure, pharmacological therapy is warranted. Despite available medications, the compliance with HTN medications remains subpar (Polinski, Kesselheim, Frolkis, Wescott, Allen-Coleman, & Fischer, 2014).

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, has become a major risk factor for several types of heart disease across the globe. In the United States alone, nearly 70 million adults have been diagnosed with this condition [1]. Hypertension is a condition in which arterial walls experience extreme force from blood flowing through; long-term force against artery walls will lead to more serious health problems such as stroke, renal failure, and other cardiovascular diseases [2]. If the proper steps to treat hypertension are not taken, patients have a high risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition that causes arteries to harden significantly. Smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, high alcohol consumption, and high sodium intake are factors that may cause an individual to be diagnosed with hypertension [3] Detection of hypertension is crucial in order to reduce the incidence of death by cardiovascular disease [1].

* The U.S. High Blood Pressure Education Program is a public-private cooperative effort formed to help reduce death and disability related to hypertension, which is at the root of 50% of those suffering heart attacks and two-thirds of those suffering strokes. Using a campaign that integrates social marketing to first build awareness of the “silent killer,” and then encourage action, awareness of the problem more than tripled to over 90% and those seeking treatment more than doubled within a single decade.

The concern on whether anti-hypertensive’s should be withheld in patients who are hypertensive has been debatable in the recent past. Generally, the treatment of hypertension among hospitalized patients is basically an opportunity to enhance the recognition and treatment of blood pressure (Axon, Nietert & Egan, 2011, p.246). This is mainly because hypertension is a basic risk factor for heart diseases, stroke, and death whose impact is widespread to nearly 70 million adults in America. There have been numerous educational initiatives and publication of treatment processes to address this condition in the past few decades. Despite these measures, nearly 39 million Americans are at risk of hypertension because they have not reached their desired or optimal blood pressure.

Hypertension is a developing problem worldwide associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In 2020, the world population will be approximately 7.8 billion people, and there will be 1 billon people who may be affected by hypertension (Tomson & Lip, 2005). One in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. According to the report “Health, United States, 2010 with Special Feature on Death and Dying,” the prevalence of hypertension among adults 20 years old or older increased from 24% to 32% during 1988-1994 and 2005-2008. The African-American population has a higher prevalence of this health condition than white Americans do. In 2005 to 2008, the prevalence of hypertension among black males (41.4%) was more than 10%,

The major health problem selected for this project was hypertension (Harrison et al, 2011). It is identified as a cardio vascular disease risk factor such as dementia, chronic kidney disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke (NICE, 2011). It can be missed easily, as in various instances it is asymptomatic as well as it is also known as a silent killer. The Hypertension is thought to be a disease of vascular regulation ensuing from arterial pressure control mechanisms malfunction (extracellular fluid volume, rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and CNS) that results in elevation of BP by means of enhanced peripheral vascular resistance, and cardiac output. There are 2 basic hypertension types. Around 90 to 95 percent of the individuals have primary hypertension which is linked with change in lifestyle as well as needs medical treatment. On the other hand, 5-10% has secondary hypertension which is linked with various other diseases for instance pregnancy, thyroid, and renal (Haslam and James, 2005). It is estimated that around 1 in 20 adults will have increased BP of 160/100 mmHg and above that results in either more than one predisposing aspects (Gemmell et al, 2006).

Hypertension (HTN) is a chronic illness that serves as a main risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Hanus, Simoes, Amboni, Ceretta, & Tuon, 2015). Although medication can manage HTN appropriately, lifestyle modifications make a substantial difference as well. However, many patients go through behavior stages in which he or she contemplate on making the necessary changes to improve their health. One solution to the problem is the development of an educational Hypertension Intervention and Follow-Up program (HIFP). Studies have shown that active educational interventions that incorporate small groups are more effective than passive delivery of educational materials (Pimenta, Caldiera, & Mamede,

Hypertension is sometimes referred to as the silent killer (Aycock, Kirkendoll, & Gordon, 2013). Today it is a public health problem. According to the American Heart Association 2013 Statistical Fact Sheet (2013), one out of every three adults has high blood pressure, which is estimated at 77.9 million people (AHA, 2013). High blood pressure is also referred to as hypertension. Hypertension is a prevalent medical condition that carries with it the risk factor for increased chances of heart disease and stroke (Gillespie & Hurvitz, 2013). Hypertension remains one of the top 10 causes of worldwide disability-adjusted life years (as cited in Drenjančević-Perić et al., 2011). For the estimated 348, 102 deaths in 2009, high blood pressure was listed as the primary or contributing cause of death (AHA, 2013). Despite the health risk associated with hypertension, the diagnoses of high blood pressure continue to rise. By 2030, hypertension is expected to increase by 7.2% from 2013 estimates (AHA, 2013).

On this day, I presented my education presentation Nutrition for High Blood Pressure at Shepherd’s Clinics to patients and clients at the wellness center. I chose this topic due to the high number of patients that report to the clinic with a diagnosis of hypertension. For example, since beginning my practicum at the site, I took a tally of those with high blood pressure. More than half the patients being seen by a provider each day had high blood pressure. In addition to the patients seen at the clinic, in the United States the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 75 million Americans have high blood pressure (High Blood Pressure Fact Sheet, 2016). Given these facts I wanted to address one big factor in reducing the risks of high blood pressure and reducing the risk of developing heart disease and other health risk. This factor is nutrition, as food plays a major role in managing diseases like blood pressure and diabetes.

Hypertension is one of the leading risks for heart disease and stroke. Your physician may advise dietary or lifestyle changes, or specific medications to lower your blood pressure.

Approximately one in every three adult’s ages 20 years old and older are diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension. Hypertension affects 78 million people in the United States and is equally prevalent in both men and woman (Crabtree et al., 2013). Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Hajjar & Kotchen, 2003). It can lead to stroke, myocardial infarction, renal failure, heart failure, neurological issues, and death if not detected early and not treated properly (James, Oparil, Carter, & et al., 2014). Approximately 9.4 million deaths in 2010 were attributed to high blood pressure (Angell, De Cock, & Frieden, 2015). About 54% of strokes, 47% of coronary heart disease, and 25 % of other cardiovascular diseases are attributed to high blood pressure (Arima, Barzi, & Chalmers, 2011).

The two major types of hypertension are primary and secondary. Primary hypertension accounts for more than 90% of all cases and has no known cause, although it is hypothesized that genetic factors, hormonal changes, and the altercations in sympathetic tone all may play a role in its development. Secondary hypertension develops as a consequence of an underlying disease or condition. The prevention and treatment of hypertension is a major public health issue. When blood pressure is controlled, cardiovascular, renal disease, and stroke may be prevented. The JCN, reported more than 122 million individuals in American are overweight or obese, consume large amounts of dietary sodium and alcohol, and do not eat adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables; less than 20% exercise regularly. Both modifiable and non-modifiable factors play a role in the development of hypertension