Hypertension Research Paper

Although medications are very effective, lifestyle and dietary changes can help treat or prevent high blood pressure more effectively.

As with all cardiovascular diseases, Peripheral Arterial Disease can be easily prevented. A good heart healthy diet should be implemented everyday for meals and snacks. A good tip is to include fresh fruits and vegetables everyday. Eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high blood cholesterol. Limiting salt or sodium in your diet can also lower your blood pressure. (CDC, 2009) Making sure to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day can not only help maintain

One of the major aspects of patient health is adequate diet education. In the hospital, diet restrictions are common, especially on the cardiac floor. By fully understanding health risks associated with an unhealthy diet, patients are able to control their diet properly with the information they were provided. Current evidence shows that nutrition education sessions can positively affect patient clinical outcomes (Abshire et al., 2015, p. 989). As a nurse’s responsibility is to be aware of the current practices on nutrition education and provide the patient with up to date information. For example, in 4B there are several patients with a sodium- restricted diets. Research has shown strong positive relationships between sodium and blood pressure. It indicates that limiting sodium in diets can reduce cardiovascular incidents. Studies have documented when sodium intake was reduced by 4.4 g/ a day for at least a month, blood pressure decreased by 4 mmHg in systolic readings and 2 mmHg for diastolic readings (Suckling & Swift, 2015, p. 585-586). If nurses are aware of these implications, they can confidently apply them

Decreasing blood pressure or managing it to maintain it at a normal range can decrease the risk by double. The ideal recommended blood pressure is 120/80 and under. Decreasing the amount of salt in the diet, avoiding high cholesterol foods and eating more fruits and vegetables can decrease blood pressure (Newlin, 2014).

Physical exercise can also help the weight loss process, in turn lowering high blood pressure. Excessive smoking and drinking also leads to hypertension due to hardening of the arteries. Family history and high stress levels should also be determined if present in KH as they play a large role in hypertension as well (Mayo Clinic).

* Physical exercise was recommended as well. Previous research has proven that physical exercise and good diet can efficiently control the patient blood pressure.

Lastly, blood pressure is associated with ones diet and lifestyle. It is amazing when one’s diet consist of a high intake of salt they will shows signs of hypertension. Studies have shown that people who did not use salt shown no signs of hypertension. Monitoring the intake of salt will improve blood pressure readings drastically although; it is not the only contributor to high blood pressure. Increasing activity levels has also been known the lower blood pressure readings.

According to Bullock and Hales (2013), hypertension can be classified as “Primary or Idiopathic hypertension” in which most individuals are considered to have hypertension with no identifiable cause and “Secondary hypertension” that resulted from an underlying condition. Based from the National Heart Foundation of Australia (2016) classification, the blood pressure categories and grades of hypertension are Optimal with Systolic pressure (mmHg) of 140 Systolic pressure and <25 may approximately reduce SBP of 1 mmHg; reduce salt intake to approximately 1600mg sodium a day to reduce 4-5 mmHg SBP; modify diet by consuming a diet rich in fruits (two serves daily) and vegetables (five serves daily), low fat dairy products and low in saturated and total fat decreases SBP to 8-14 mmHg; increase physical activity by at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity per week decreases SBP to 4-9 mmHg (National Heart Foundation of Australia, 2012); and educate Amanda when taking the Avapro to take without regard to food, to comply with dosage schedule even if feeling better because the maximum therapeutic effect may take 2-3 months, that this drug may cause dizziness, fainting and lightheadedness, and to rise slowly to sitting or standing position to minimise orthostatic hypotension (Skidmore-Roth & Ebrary,

H. to dietitians, who would be helpful on generating a consistent dietary plan for managing HTN, DM, high cholesterol, and HF. According to the American Heart Association, eating heart-healthy diet such as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) helps to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and chance of heart attack.

I was born to a father with the history of Diabetic mellitus and on my mother’s side; there is a history of High Blood Pressure. Although my father is not diabetic, my mother has been diagnosed with blood pressure. Blood pressure has been a steady disease in my household which has affected four out my five uncles. In 2010, after a seven year long battle with infertility, I was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure which I was given medication for and shortly thereafter, I had a son after my aggressive treatment. Ever since, I have always link most diseases with food intake and I strongly believe that my nutrition and my health work hand in hand. According to Grodner, Roth &Walkingshaw (2012),

• Eat a heart-healthy diet. Choose low-fat, low-sodium foods and eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

According to the Diabetic Association you should eat meats that are lean from fats, and if they have low carbohydrates (N.A. n.d.), you should also eat whole grains, and stay away from sugary foods. Drinking non-alcoholic red wine may help reduce your blood pressure.

Before 55 men have a greater chance and women are more likely after menopause, high blood pressure also tends to be genetic and runs in the family of most African Americans are at increase for high blood pressure. The goals that have been set for me are to start eating healthy, exercise more regular, taking medicine on time every day, and look out for fatty foods. To eat healthy a low salt diet is recommended, saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat. Eat fruits and vegetables and low fat milk product, whole grain foods, fish, poultry, and nuts are also good for the diet of controlling the high blood pressure. When staying within the pyramid charts the fruits, grains, and non-fatty diets are as follows, whole grains should be at least six to eight servings a day, vegetables four to five servings, fruits four to five servings. When talking about low fat it should be poultry, lean meats, and fish should be six or fewer servings, nuts, seeds, and beans four to five servings, fats, and oils two to three servings, sweets preferred low fat five or fewer serving and last sodium no more than 2, 300 mg a day (The Dash Diet, 2009). My actions towards my goals have been a little successful with the eating habits I have cut down on salting foods and started to use less salt, but my exercise is basically the same as it was at the time of first starting this class.

Like I stated in the paragraph before this one, one would also try to take medicines to try and get the blood pressure back on a stable level. The list of medicines that might work are above. Some foods that can help get high blood pressure back to normal are: peas, baked potatoes, celery, green beans, papaya fruit, oatmeal, guava, yogurt, tomatoes, kiwis, blueberries, spinach, avocados, cantaloupe, prunes, carrots, dandelion, salmon, skim milk, watermelon, raisins, spices, beans, dark chocolate, beets, bananas, nuts, and oranges. The tree worst things that can rise blood pressure are: fast food, alcohol, and

Eat DASH diet, which is consisted in high in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and rich in potassium, magnesium, protein and fiber. This die t is especially effective in treating African American patients.