Non-Pharmacological Methods for Managing Hypertension: An Analysis of Lifestyle Changes and Patient Education
Aloo, Christopher (2018)
Aloo, Christopher
Yrkeshögskolan Novia
2018
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018112217809
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018112217809
Tiivistelmä
Hypertension (HT) is a global wide health risk. The importance of hypertension as a major cause of morbidity and mortality is well understood and documented in economically developed countries. However, the management methods apart from medications prescribed by doctors is not fully recognized. The prevalence of hypertension globally varies from country to country and from one continent to another, with ethnicity being of no exception. Data from most countries and regions suggest that between 40 percent of adult men and women have hypertension (WHO, 2013).
The aim of this study is to find out how lifestyle modifications is applied in the control of hypertension, and what does nurses and other health care professional need to do to encourage patients into adopting new healthy ways of living. Two theories have been selected to help explain the lifestyle change process (Trans-theoretical model and the health belief model).
The findings of the study have shown two categories; maintenance of a healthy body weight comprising of eating a balanced diet (DASH) and regular exercise as sub-categories. Adoption of health habits is the other category in the findings, it comprises of smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption, salt intake reduction, and increasing potassium intake. Furthermore, Patient education is shown to improve knowledge about the disease and help with encouraging commitment towards making necessary lifestyle changes.
The aim of this study is to find out how lifestyle modifications is applied in the control of hypertension, and what does nurses and other health care professional need to do to encourage patients into adopting new healthy ways of living. Two theories have been selected to help explain the lifestyle change process (Trans-theoretical model and the health belief model).
The findings of the study have shown two categories; maintenance of a healthy body weight comprising of eating a balanced diet (DASH) and regular exercise as sub-categories. Adoption of health habits is the other category in the findings, it comprises of smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption, salt intake reduction, and increasing potassium intake. Furthermore, Patient education is shown to improve knowledge about the disease and help with encouraging commitment towards making necessary lifestyle changes.