Introduction
Hypertension is one of the most common health concerns nowadays. It is characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure. When a person’s blood pressure is persistently high, it can cause damage to the heart and the blood vessels (Mancia & Laurent, 2011). For instance, it makes the arteries stiff. Stiff arteries are most likely to get clogged.
Day 1
Today, I commenced carrying out my research on the management of hypertension. My first task entailed collecting and reading materials from various sources. I found interesting facts about hypertension which include:
Statistics
Hypertension is one of the killer diseases nowadays (Criner et al., 2010). Millions of people across the world succumb to hypertension and its risk factors such as:
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney and heart diseases
- Retinal disease
Various health organizations have confirmed that this condition is serious and it can lead to massive loss of lives if not controlled.
Classification the Blood Pressure Levels
To manage this condition, health care providers should carry out a classification of blood pressure levels. The following list indicates various categories of blood pressure:
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
Signs of Hypertension
Diagnosis of hypertension is easy. The following are some of its common symptoms:
- Pain in the chest
- Blurred vision
- Headache and fatigue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Blood spots in urine
It is important to understand that failure to treat hypertension in its early stages may lead to the development of serious conditions such as stroke and heart problems.
Assessment of Patients
It is important to assess the patients to evaluate their understanding of hypertension and how they manage it. This will aid in planning the assistance to give them after discharge. Some of the key areas that should be assessed include:
- Assessment of lifestyles
- History of previous anti-hypertensive treatments
Once the evaluation has been conducted, it is necessary to equip them with vital information on hypertension management. The following information will be helpful.
Control of Weight
Obesity increases the chances of developing hypertension. In addition, it also promotes the development of medical conditions such as heart failure.
Exercise
It has been confirmed that hypertensive patients who do not engage in anaerobic exercises such as running and walking risk developing hypertensive crises.
Dealing With Patients from Various Cultural Backgrounds
Hypertension does not affect specific groups of people. It is a health concern that can affect all types of people regardless of their backgrounds. A health practitioner should be skillful in dealing with patients from diverse backgrounds. It is important to understand a person’s beliefs and opinions. This will help you in coming up with effective management programs. Patients who do not understand our language should not be victimized. Instead, we should show compassion for their status.
Engaging Other Health Care Providers in the Management of Hypertension
It is important to collaborate with other members of the health care team in the management of hypertension.
Nurses
Nurses have assumed vital roles in the management of hypertension. Researchers have argued that up to 80% of primary care services are provided by nurses. Nurses contribute towards the management of hypertension in the following ways:
- They educate the patients on the importance of risk factor modification
- They regularly monitor the patients
- Nurses should provide patient-centered education and advice. This education strategy equips the patient with general aspects of hypertension and its risk factors. It also aids in assisting the patient to evade hypertensive crisis by implementing simple management procedures.
Pharmacists
Most of us tend to overlook the contribution of pharmacists in the management of hypertension (Mancia & Laurent, 2011). Pharmacists are very important members of the health care team. Their inclusion in the management of hypertension will result in:
- Increased rates of control of hypertension
- Reduced drug interactions
Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Hypertensive Patients
Day 2
On my second day, I reviewed international policies on the management of hypertension. Here is some of the information that I obtained.
Patients should be encouraged to carry out self-monitoring of blood pressure (Moser, 2004). Self-monitoring enables the patient to stay motivated in managing hypertension (Cheriyan et al., 2010). In order to carry out a successful self-assessment of blood pressure, a patient should have essential tools such as tracking cards. Self-monitoring is a process through which patients carry out private tests of their health conditions. Self-monitoring is meant to eliminate any chances of relapse.
Development of Hypertension Action Groups
Community-based action teams should be set up. These teams should be encouraged to partner with local authorities, health institutions, and other organizations in order to create hypertension strategies. The strategies created should be geared towards assisting those who are suffering from hypertension to live better lives.
Auditing Of Local Services To Establish the Levels of Their Activity
There is a need to carry out regular audits on the community-based service providers. This will facilitate the detection of loopholes, priorities, and opportunities for the provision of better services to the patients. The local medical guidelines, detection, and treatment protocols should also be reviewed.
Journal Report
Current Implementation Activities
Community-based health care providers should sensitize the patients on the dangers of poor management of hypertension (Mclnerny, 2009). They should also provide advice on various treatment and control options. This will reduce cases of hypertension crisis. It is also vital that patients adhere to what they have been provided as guidance.
Finding the best health care providers and patients will enable me to attain my objectives. In that case, I have been involved in identifying those individuals who possess knowledge on the management of hypertension. I am also developing a plan which will enable me to relate when with the individuals with whom I will interact.
Challenges
Just like any other project, it is not easy to accomplish missions without facing challenges here and there. I have experienced challenges such as ignorance from respondents and the collection of conflicting reports. Addressing the victims has not been easy too. Sometimes, you meet some hostile patients. Some of them are not willing to address what they are asked.
Professional Development
This project has contributed greatly to my professional development. The activities that I undertake to achieve my objectives are diversified in nature. As a result, those activities have enabled me to improve my chances of achieving my personal and professional ambitions. My skills have also improved since my theoretical knowledge has been packed with fieldwork. As a professional, I am supposed to incorporate the skills that I have leaned towards improving the prevailing conditions of the patients. In that case, classwork is not enough, I am supposed to utilize the skills that I have acquired from disciplines such as statistics, research, and analysis.
References
Cheriyan, J., McEniery, C., & Wilkinson, I. (2010). Hypertension. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Criner, G. J., Barnette, R. E., & Alonzo, G. E. (2010). Critical care study guide text and review (2nd ed.). New York: Springer.
Mancia, G., & Laurent, S. (2011). Reappraisal of European guidelines on hypertension management A European Society of Hypertension Task Force document. London: Springer Healthcare Ltd..
McInerny, T. K. (2009). American Academy of Pediatrics textbook of pediatric care. Washington, D.C.: American Academy of Pediatrics.
Moser, M. (2004). Clinical management of hypertension (7th ed.). Caddo, OK: Professional Communications.