Introduction
If your blood pressure readings consistently show that your systolic number is more than 130 mm Hg or your diastolic number is greater than 80 mm Hg, you may be suffering from hypertension, a chronic medical disease characterized by high blood pressure. More than a billion individuals throughout the globe suffer from hypertension, which increases their risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal illness, and other ailments. Hypertension affects over 45 percent of American people between the ages of 40 and 59, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Stroke, heart disease, and renal failure are just some of the catastrophic outcomes that may result from poorly treated hypertension. Lifestyle modifications, including a nutritious diet, frequent physical exercise, and the avoidance of nicotine and excessive alcohol intake, are often effective in controlling hypertension. Many m patients, however, are unwilling to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments, despite the fact that doing so would greatly improve their health and reduce their healthcare expenses, as well as those of the healthcare system as a whole.
Impact on Quality of Care
Care quality rises when hypertension is effectively managed by modifying patient behavior. Reducing blood pressure in hypertension individuals has been proven to be possible with the adoption of good lifestyle habits including eating well and exercising regularly. Stroke, heart attack, and renal disease are just some of the consequences that may be avoided with better control of hypertension. Complications associated with uncontrolled hypertension have been linked to subpar treatment quality (Tam et al., 2020).
The American Heart Association reports that hypertension contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading causes of mortality in the country, respectively. Because of these setbacks, patients often end up spending more time in the hospital, having to be readmitted, and receiving lower-quality treatment overall. Improved hypertension control leads to happier patients. Successful management of blood pressure by lifestyle modifications may make patients feel more in charge of their health and improve their outlook on medical treatment. Patients with high blood pressure who made changes to their diet and exercise routines had significant drops in their readings. Patients with hypertension benefit greatly from lifestyle treatments in terms of both blood pressure management and quality of life (Tam et al., 2020).
This data is in line with what is seen in the field of nursing. Educating patients on how to modify their lifestyle in order to lower their blood pressure is a common job for nurses, and many patients find that they are able to effectively do so, leading to better health outcomes. Some patients may find it difficult to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments due to variables such as their socioeconomic status or a lack of convenient and secure locations at which to engage in healthy behaviors like eating and physical activity. The role of the nurse is critical in assisting patients in managing their hypertension by removing these obstacles and providing necessary assistance and resources.
Impact on Patient Safety
Patients with hypertension are at higher risk for cardiovascular complications including stroke and heart attack. Improved patient safety may result from making adjustments to one's lifestyle that lower blood pressure. Falls and other injuries may occur as a result of high blood pressure symptoms including dizziness, fainting, and disorientation if they are not treated. It also makes surgery and anaesthesia more dangerous. Complications after surgery were more common in patients whose hypertension was not under control (Frassanito et al., 2023) than in those whose blood pressure was. Patients whose blood pressure is under control have a decreased risk of problems after surgery than those whose hypertension is uncontrolled. Hypertension control is crucial for patient safety during surgery, as noted by (Frassanito et al., 2023).
Taking control of one's blood pressure via lifestyle modifications has been shown to considerably lower the likelihood of adverse events and increase patient safety. Patients with hypertension may greatly benefit from weight reduction, exercise, and dietary changes, which together can considerably lower blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular events. By increasing one's fitness level and enhancing one's balance and coordination, these modifications may lessen the likelihood of injury from falls (Tam et al., 2020). As a nurse, I've seen firsthand how high blood pressure may compromise patient health and the value of adopting healthy habits to lower it.
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