Current Problem and Key Objectives
To ensure that learners are provided with a sufficient range of opportunities for learning, one must control the quality of the academic materials constantly. The current education materials used are outdated and thus need to be updated so that they can reflect the latest perspectives on the issue under analysis. To explore the new hypertension guidelines that have been tightened for patients to familiarize themselves with.
Justification of the Proposed Updated Educational Materials
Previously, patients with low blood pressure rates would not have been registered as under a threat of developing the condition in question. However, with the recent advanced in healthcare technology, opportunities for more accurate diagnosing have emerged. The American Heart Association College of Cardiology 2017 created new rules that reduced the number of high blood pressure diagnoses to 130/80 (mm Hg) (“Reading the new blood,” 2021). Previously, the guidelines had been set as “140/90 mm Hg” for individuals below the age of 65 years and 150/80 mm Hg for those above 65 years (“Reading the new blood,” 2021). This means that 70% to 79% of men above 55 years are currently considered hypertensive (“Reading the new blood,” 2021). Therefore, a lot of men who previously were healthy now have high blood pressure.
There are changes in the new guidelines different from the previous ones. These changes will help people address the problem of hypertension and other accompanying illnesses, such as stroke and heart attack, earlier. Namely, no new recommendations are offered for young and elderly people above 65 years (“Reading the new blood,” 2021). The main reason is that the study examined everyone irrespective of their age. Moreover, there was no group division either above or below a certain age. Therefore, the new study redefined new categories of hypertension.
Currently, some individuals that are considered hypertensive, specifically, people with 120 to 129 systolic and less than diastolic 130 to 139 systolic, now have stage 2 hypertension (“Reading the new blood,” 2021). Additionally, a reading of more than 140/90 mm Hg is a confirmation of Stage 2 hypertension. Moreover, any measurement beyond 180/120 mm Hg is termed critical (“Reading the new blood,” 2021). Finally, hypertension measurement, along with the use of home blood pressure monitors, is highly recommended daily.
Reference
Reading the new blood pressure guidelines. (2021). Harvard Health. Web.