Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. There is always a certain level of pressure present in the arteries in order to circulate blood in the whole body. Basically, it is related to the blood circulatory system, whenever the heart pumps blood into the body via arteries, blood pressure arises and vice versa. According to Moore 2001, the normal systolic blood pressure in adults is 120 and diastolic is calculated to be 80. Hypertension occurs when this pressure arises from the normal level i.e. 80-120.
There are many different types of hypertension but the major ones that occur mostly include primary hypertension, secondary hypertension and pregnancy induced hypertension. Korner 2007 indicated that, primary hypertension is caused by the daily life routine and changes in physical factors like diet, emotions and stress. Secondary hypertension occurs when there is default in any of the internal system like heart failure, kidney problems, and liver failure or when there is any failure in endocrine system. Pregnancy induced hypertension occurs in pregnant women when her pregnancy reaches to twentieth week. It is very common in obese pregnant women and it may result in abortion in sever condition or death of mother and her baby.
Effects of Hypertension
Hypertension is the only disease which affects on the entire body and results in the failure of the functions of different organs. Heart failure is one of the major results of hypertension. Heat failure occurs, when the heart has to work harder than it should due to the high pressure exerted on it by high blood pressure. It makes the muscles of the heart weaker day by day and at the end, the heart stops working. Nephrosclerosis, a disease which is related to kidneys, is also due to the high blood pressure. It narrows down the arteries supplying blood to kidneys and as a result, functioning of the kidneys slow down and it allows passing toxins into blood. Failure of kidneys also raises the blood pressure further ( Sorrentino & Hausman,1996)
Brain stroke is occurs due to the consistent high blood pressure and it should be treated at once as it may leave the patient in paralysis condition or in comma. It narrows down the arties, which supply blood to the brain; hence high pressure may burst down arteries resulting in brain stroke. Eyes are the most sensitive part of the body and arteries are also present in the retina of eyes. Hypertension may cause damage to vessels of eye and hence it may result in the vision problem.
Prevention from Hypertension
It is very important to prevent oneself from this life taking disease in order to lead healthy life. There are many preventive measures that one may take to avoid from being the patient of high blood pressure. Blood pressure should be monitored on monthly basis and especially obese children and adults should take this in account, as there are more chances of hypertension in obese people. Cholesterol containing food should be avoided and healthy food like fruits and vegetables should be added in the daily nutrition menu. Beef and pig meet should not be used in excess because it contains high levels of uric acid which is responsible to increase blood pressure (Martin, 2009). Make sure to get double check your cholesterol levels once in a year and keep record of all reports. Exercise is one of the most recommended prevention in order to stay away from hypertension. Life style also matters a lot; hence avoid taking a lot of stress and burden and try to remain happy.
Patients of high blood pressure should firstly try to control their blood pressure via preventions which are mentioned above. If they fail to control hypertension then they may go for medications, as ignoring high blood pressure may take away life in a minute. Along with medications they may take regular exercises and they must always prevent taking on table salt. Hence, hypertension should be prevented in order to live prolong happy and healthy life.
Reference List
Korner, P. (2007). Essential hypertension and its causes: Neural and non-neural mechanisms. USA: USA OUP.
Martin, J. (2009). How to prevent hypertension and prolong your life. Web.
Moore, R. (2001). The high blood pressure solution: A natural program for preventing strokes and heart disease. New York: Inner Traditions Bear and Company.
Sorrentino, S., & Hausman, C. (1996). “The effects of hypertension”. Web.
Health promotion among African Americans suffering from Hypertension
Health education and health promotion are terms that are used interchangeably to mean approaches that avail health information to all people. This information may be intended to help people change their lifestyle or even to advice them on the importance of managing their health. In general, health promotion or health education is a very important aspect for policy makers, researchers and medical practitioners as they are responsible for developing and availing interventions that are not just inclusive, but also culturally sensitive. This issue is not new. For along time now, providers of care and even researchers have implemented interventions particularly for diverse groups. Through research, they have been able to know that racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by uneven distributions of diseases. This paper cultural approach to patient teaching or health promotion among African Americans sufferings from Hypertension. This topic will be discussed in relation to nursing health promotion or teaching of clients. Where findings will be applied to nursing roles by proposing what nurses can do to enhance health promotion or patient teaching.
The issue
Brennan et al (2010) found that the prevalence of hypertension is higher among African Americans than white Americans. Peters, Aroian and Flack (2007) established that Hypertension is a common among African Americans and is a health issue that contributes to a high death rate amongst this population. Even with the understanding that many causes of Hypertension are preventable via management of lifestyle, African Americans still do not engage in health care practices and management behaviors. The American Heart Association (2008, quoted in UGORJ, 2012) discovered that African American women tend to be more overweight a factor that contributes to higher occurrence of hypertension. Educational programs or health promotional programs that aim to sensitize the issue of high blood pressure among African Americans have received limited support both from patients themselves and other stakeholders. This is partly because African Americans rarely present themselves for check ups even if they are aware of the health risks involved. Some of the causes of hypertension include lack of physical activity, smoking tobacco, poor nutrition and alcohol drinking (UGORJ, 2012).
Health Promotion Materials
Dodani (2011) defines health promotion materials as audio-visual or print substances that are used to avail messages when promoting health. Some of these materials used in promoting health include, brochures, pamphlets, posters, Internet-related materials, flyers, articles or newspaper advertisements as well as other videos, periodicals, public service announcements. When promoting the awareness of hypertension amongst African Americans, organizers use church-based approaches and barber shops.
Health promotion messages
According to Dodani (2011) health promotion content or messages are the information conveyed to the intended people. They are intended to have some effect on beliefs, values, awareness, attitudes as well as behaviors, as part of an effort when promoting health. The messages are usually used to address or communicate a community action with regard to reduction of risk. The message may also be used as an encouragement or support for patients and their families to keep managing their condition in away that reduces the health risk. For instance, in this case where health promotion is aimed to inform people on the importance of managing their blood pressure, the messages that support these people may encourage the African Americans to seek medical care.
Culture
According to Victor, Ravenell & Leonard (2009) the culture of African Americans has a big influence on their feeding habits. Rankin, Stalling, and London (2005) indicted that one of the main challenges in promotion of health with diverse populations is mainly to respect their beliefs and traditions, whilst understanding that some of those practices and beliefs may not be in line with the knowledge that supports outcomes that are intended. Dodani (2011) indicated that health promotions that are culturally conscious respects and supports those beliefs and practices that are protective, and considerately assists in identifying and changing those practices and beliefs that have an impact on the health of the target population.
Cultural approaches
Barber-Based Intervention
According to Victor, Ravenell and Leonard (2009) a barber-based Intervention is a behavioral intervention employed by health care practitioners to promote awareness of hypertension among African Americans. The Barbershop sites are mainly used to target African American men with hypertension. This is because even amongst those who have been incorporated in the intervention program, African American men who are hypertensive in most cases may not recognize that adjustment in medication and continued monitoring of blood pressure are required to minimize the risks presented by hypertension (Victor, Ravenell & Leonard, 2009). It is for this reason that healthcare providers developed an intervention carried out by barbers. This is because barbers are considered to be their influential peers (Victor, Ravenell & Leonard, 2009). Barbers are used to monitor the blood pressure of their customers, facilitate medical referral, in addition to delivering health information that is specifically designed to educate people on the associated health risk, dangers of increased blood pressure and make reduction of risk in a ways that is desirable socially.
Faith-based intervention
According to UGORJ (2012) spirituality is viewed as a critical cultural belief by African Americans. Additionally, spirituality is identified as strength amongst African-American women who are relatively poor. In general, the purpose of using this health promotion intervention has always been to reach these people using a faith-based lifestyle as they identify with it (UGORJ, 2012). The areas were low-income areas, particularly those who were at high risk for developing hypertension. Moreover, the intervention was undertaken on Sundays as a way of ensuring maximal participation as well as to reduce the travel time of the participants. During this program, several things were proposed to enhance the health of those people who were at risk. These things include eating plan, where the food emphasized included food with low fat content, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They were also advised to increase physical activity, reduce alcohol consumption, and reduce dietary sodium consumption.
Relationship with nurses
Health promotion or health education by nurses is espoused from the common universal nursing principles. The health promotion intervention that is most commonly used by nurses is health education (Dodani, 2011;Brennan, et al., 2010, p. 65). As a rule, promoters of general health are usually expected to be well versed in matters of health promotion, actions for effective promotion of health, social care policies as well as the ability to relate these aspects to their general practice. Generally, there is an increasing understanding that patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension should have specific health promotion or health education. In promoting the health of high blood pressure, nurses are regarded as health promoters who are patient-focused.
Nurses as managers of health promotion
Nurses should be in the position not only to plan and implement projects; they should also be able to evaluate interventions and projects used in promoting health (Brennan, et al., 2010, p. 65). This is because projects facilitate the aspect of promoting health amongst nurses. Therefore, nurses as managers of projects used in promoting health should assume the responsibility of not just supervising, but also leading research processes. They should as well have the capability to manage developmental and educational interventions in communities and hospitals.
Recommendations
Health promotion especially on chronic diseases has become more important today than before. Nurses whether in practice, education, as well as research environments can take part in the development of all aspects that enhance health promotion to the community and nursing practice. In the past, nurse educators have dwelt on informing high blood pressure patients how to manage their condition. However, today and coming days, the emphasis must be on informing people how to manage their illnesses and also how remain healthy. In order to execute these responsibilities, nurses must have an advanced comprehension of the impact that can result from health promotion interventions. The bottom line is that when nurses are versed or understand the issue well, they can easily communicate the same to people in a way that is clear. In conclusion, health promotion is necessary as it reminds people on how to manage their health. In addition, it is through health promotion that people who do not know their state of health offer themselves for check up. In general, health promotion programs can lead to a healthy population if it is well supported.
References
Brennan, T., McMahill-Walraven, C., Spettell, C., Villagra, V., Ofili, E., Quarshie, A., et al. (2010). Disease management to promote blood pressure control among African Americans. Population Health Managment, 13 (2), pp. 65-72.
Dodani, S. (2011). Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches for Hypertension Control and Prevention in Churches. International Journal of Hypertension, pp. 1-11.
Peters, R., Aroian, K., & Flack, J. (2007). African American Culture and Hypertension Prevention. West J Nurs Res, 28 (7), pp. 831–863.
UGORJ, J. (2012). the role of faith based organizations in combating chronic illnesses. Web.
Rankin, S., Stalling, K., & London, F. (2005). Patient Education in Health and illness. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkns.
Victor, R., Ravenell, J., & Leonard, D. (2009). A Barber-Based Intervention for Hypertension in African American Men: Design of a Group Randomized Trial. American Heart journal, 157 (1), pp. 30-36.
The completion of the NUR 456 professional practice project was a personal success. The coursework objectives and requirements were achieved in the project. The results of the project were applicable to personal nursing practice and learning. The following is a self-evaluation of the project assignment and it shows how the objectives of the project were achieved.
Success in achieving objectives
The project required that data be collected from diverse resources and this objective was achieved. It was also possible to relate evidence-based research, to provide patients with up-to-date global statistics information about hypertension management. The project allowed the discussion of hypertension management based on current research findings. Another requirement that was fulfilled is the use of theoretical nursing framework model that related to hypertension management, which was readily applied in the project. The project also made it possible to achieve the personal objective of providing educational sessions on hypertension and classes were organized for patients before they were discharged.
The second set of objectives was based on the evaluation of patients’ hypertension knowledge coupled with how to provide information regarding the management and diagnosis of the same. These objectives were achieved in the project.
The project allowed assessment of hypertension patients to identify and evaluate their knowledge in order to find out information about the kind of help or accommodation needed upon patient discharge to prevent relapse. This requirement was met accordingly and the project enabled the creation of the notion that patients had inadequate information regarding their condition. The second part of this set of objectives was also achieved as patients were provided with insight information on hypertension management that was useful after discharge.
In the third set of objectives, the patients’ culture, language, and ease of learning was assessed. The project enabled the interaction with patients from different cultural backgrounds, which promoted the personal understanding for dealing with such patients. I was also able to employ empathy when caring for patients with language barriers and I used an interpreter during the project to make patients feel relaxed. The other objective that was to be fulfilled was the use of simple words to help patients’ understanding and in the process of divulging information. The giving of information on hypertension during the project was made easy by diagrams and nurses were trained on how to use simple terms during treatment.
The fourth set of objectives was centered on the utilization of the health practitioners to educate the hypertensive patients. The project enabled personal collaboration and communication with primary care physicians, pharmacists, social workers on screening for risk factors, counseling, and community referral to a local agency in order to improve patient healthcare outcomes. It was also possible to negotiate with medical staff and nurses to discuss the implementation of the nursing protocol on hypertension management. The objectives led to the development of a protocol on the management of hypertension.
The application of ethical principles is a requirement in any project and it was an objective in this particular project. This objective was achieved in the project with the application of ANA ethical standards, which were used to make the right decisions for patients in the hospital and those who participated. The other evidence of achievement of the objectives was by considering the hospital standards and legal statues before implementation of the protocol on hypertension management. The other ethical standard that serves as evidence of achieving this objective is that JCAHO standards on patient confidentiality were widely applied in the project.
Through the project in focus, another personal success in achieving objectives was evident in the way the project attempted to improve hypertension at the community level by organizing Seminars to Raise Awareness. There is evidence that the project demonstrated the importance of the necessary lifestyle changes in the prevention of hypertension. The project listed some of the lifestyle changes that people need to make in order to prevent hypertension and the measures that should be taken to control the disease in the hypertensive patients. The paper that culminated from the project and the brochure were evidence of the objective of the project to provide advice to patients. The project also enabled the development of Hypertension Action Groups and the setting up of Community-based action teams and these were suggested in the report.
The objective of applying theory into practice was achieved via a review and evaluation of data on hypertension management. In the project, I was able to read four articles on hypertension management and incorporated the recent findings to the new protocol. Evidence of this achievement is provided in the journal reports that were provided. There was also application of evidence-based knowledge to improve the protocol of hypertension management. Evidence of this aspect is provided in the report where the updated protocol on hypertension management is provided.
The objective of collaboration with the relevant cadres in the provision of care and education to hypertensive patients was achieved. As evidence, the project allowed the organization of a personal meeting with the nutritionist, which was crucial in the education of patients and their family about the importance of dietary and lifestyle changes. It was also possible to collaborate with the pharmacist to promote treatment compliance. The evidence of this aspect is in the project report where the collaboration and the part played by the pharmacist were discussed. A class was also organized with the clinical staff to deliver information on best practices when caring for hypertensive patients. A review of the implications of administration of this protocol in the management of hypertension was also prepared as evidence. Another evidence of the achievement of the objectives was the development of a Community-Based Wellness Programs for Hypertensive Patients. The personal project proposed development of Hypertension Action Groups to detect, prevent, educate, and treat hypertension and advocated that all members of the society should take part in it.
The other objective, which required revision of all handouts, pamphlets, and brochures to confirm the information and data are accurate in providing patients with safety and high quality care was achieved. The evidence of this achievement is in the protocol that emanated from the project, which was a combination of all the information provided in the above material. The attitudes of nurses on hypertension management were also assessed before and after the educational sessions on hypertension. In the project, it is evident that the objective of analyzing relevant sources for literature review in hypertension management was done and the aim of this move was to provide an update on the information used in the hypertension management protocol.
The objective that required the collection and certification of medical surgical information through the American Nurses Credentialing Center was achieved. The information that was obtained in the project was accredited.
Third Personal Journal
Role of nursing staff
The management of hypertension takes up a significant work time for nursing staff. It is estimated that nurses in the management of hypertension provide up to 80% of primary care services. Nurses have a role in the education of patients on hypertension management, as they are the primary contact for these patients in many areas. They also have the ability to adjust the clinical algorithms that are used in the management of hypertension. Moreover, as a basic role, they monitor the medication use in hypertension treatment. The paper examined and defined some of the roles that nurses play in the management of hypertension. However, a number of challenges were associated with any attempt to evaluate the role of nurses in the management of any condition as discussed below.
Challenges
The assessment of the nursing attitude in the management of hypertension was difficult based on the tight schedules that they had at the workplace. Some of the nurses were ill equipped to handle hypertension at the work place, but they normally gave false information that they were in a position to handle the disease. Another challenge in the management of hypertension on nurses’ side was the inadequate knowledge of hypertension and its management that they demonstrated.
Professional development
The assessment of nursing care on hypertension patients is important in my personal professional development. The knowledge gathered will be important in the modeling of new guidelines for nurses. The knowledge gap that the nurses exhibited will also need to be revisited in future studies and this realization created an opportunity for me to carry out a study related to the nursing attitude on hypertension.
The class will target a group of 40 African Americans 35 to 60 years old. The tools needed for the class are 20 electronic and 20 mechanical tonometers, paper and pens for each of the learners.
The class will start with an introduction of what hypertension is and why being African American is a risk factor for hypertension, which will include an explanation of genetic and environmental tendencies such as sensitivity to salt, comparative statistics of hypertension among African Americans and people of other ethnicities. For example, 41% of African Americans suffer from hypertension whereas the percentage of whites with the same issue is only 27 (High Blood Pressure in African-Americans, 2015).
Further, the learners will be introduced to a list of high blood pressure risk factors (such as passive lifestyle, fatty and salty diet, diabetes, smoking, excessive weight, older age) and asked to draw a circle on the piece of paper each time they realize they have this factor. Based on the number of circles the learners will find out the level of their risk of developing hypertension.
Then, the class will be given out electronic and mechanical tonometers and taught how to use them and asked to practice of each other and then on themselves. They also will be educated about the numerical meanings of normal, high and low blood pressure.
Finally, the class will be taught how to cope with hypertension at home, for example, lie down, unbutton all the tight clothes, calm down and breathe slowly, put a warm compress on the back of the head, avoid walking around (First Aid Management of Hypertensive Crisis, 2013). Besides, the learners will be educated about the lifestyle and diet required to address hypertension, which include exercising and activities to avoid obesity, and consuming products improving blood pressure such as grapefruit, celery, boiled potatoes (Home remedies for high blood pressure / hypertension, 2015).
Reference List
First Aid Management of Hypertensive Crisis. (2013). First Aid Saskatoon. Web.
High Blood Pressure in African-Americans. (2015). WebMD. Web.
Home remedies for high blood pressure / hypertension. (2015). MedIndia. Web.
Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a health complication that impedes body functionality of newborn babies. Particularly, the complication that occurs after birth affects the oxygenation system of babies. This Is because of the transition complexities that arise at the delivery time. As noted, blood products of newborn babies require effective administration to improve their systemic pressure. This is vital in optimizing their oxygen carrying capacity to facilitate their mental and body stability. There should be a smooth and non-eventful transition to extrauterinc life between mothers and the newborn babies. The smooth transition is necessary to eradicate possible health complications like hypertension and physiological conditions that compromises babies’ capacity to effective growth. This explains the need for continuous assessment of newborn babies’ health conditions during and after birth.
Assessment of newborn with persistent pulmonary hypertension
As noted, newborn babies with severe pulmonary hypertension are deficient of essential nutrients and oxygen that are essential for development. Such babies suffer from the deficiencies due to poor transition of oxygen at the time of birth. They also suffer due to inferior lung functionality (Steinhorn, 2011). They lack proper circulation of highly oxygenated blood that moves from the placenta to the fetal brain. This allows blood to deviate away from the pulmonary circulation. The deviation causes a pulmonary lapse and pathophysiological complications in babies that in turn leads to severe hypertension.
To avert this condition, proper medication and eradication of physiological procedures in the placenta should be ensured. Consequently, consistent assessment of a baby’s health condition especially after birth should be thorough. The assessment is to establish how a baby is adapting to independent system of oxygenation (Steinhorn, 2011). This is vital in identifying areas of weaknesses to aid the development of the requisite steps to facilitate effective flow of blood. It is also to enhance a baby’s lung functionality and fetal circulation system. These steps are to ensure that change of blood flow does not lead to severe complications to mothers and their babies. It also seeks to make certain the capacity of a newborn baby to pump blood to the lungs. This is essential in enhancing exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that are vital ingredients for a baby’s sustainability (Perry, Hockenberry, Lowdermilk & Wilson, 2010).
Studies on the significance of assessment of newborn babies’ pulmonary hypertension
Various case studies have been conducted to ascertain the imperativeness of persistent assessment of a newborn baby’s pulmonary hypertension. The studies have been involving newborn babies who remain the most vulnerable group of people. This is because of the complications that arise during the transition period between the placenta and the fetal tissues especially at birth. In the selected study, an infant was put on superior ECMO support system despite undergoing frequent and optimal therapies (Deboer & Stephens, 2010). Use of nitric acid therapy was under initiation to facilitate the trial. The acid therapy was used to enable absolute understanding on how it enhances the effectiveness of the lungs and improve blood flow. The results were not indicating a significant percentage growth of oxygenation in the baby. This shows that effective oxygenation in a baby is achievable only through effective fetal circulation changes, superior blood supply, proper transition of oxygen and lung development.
Causes of persistent pulmonary hypertension and the pathophysiology of the disease
As noted by Perry et al (2010), PPHN is a condition that forces a newborn baby’s circulation to change to the circulation of a fetus. In this condition, the newborn baby’s blood flow does not reach the lungs. The blood flow bypasses the lugs to the heart and to other parts of the body even though the distribution is poor. This is evident since the lungs play a critical role in ensuring effective circulation and pumping of blood to the whole body. It is important after birth to stabilize a child’s blood flow and adapting to independent oxygenation system. This is essential since during pregnancy the fetal lungs do not exchange oxygen frequently (Deboer & Stephens, 2010). They also fail to exchange carbon dioxide appropriately because before that the baby depends on the mother for these activities.
Indeed, poor blood circulation and exchange of oxygen remains the key cause of PPHN in children. It lowers a baby’s capacity to recording effective blood circulation and proper fetal oxygenation that is needed for effective growth. Other causes include poor transition of oxygen transmission systems from the placenta to the fetal system and weak lungs. These causes are eminent at birth when a newborn baby must make a circulation change of blood from fetal to postnatal circulation. The effectiveness of the processes required physiological support in the uterus and pulmonary vasodilation. However, pathophysiology needed transition incentives must now reduce quickly to aid effective lung functioning (Deboer & Stephens, 2010). This would ensure proper transition process, circulation of blood, oxygen and functionality of the lungs.
Conclusion
Indeed, continuous assessment of newborn babies is crucial to facilitate their wellbeing. The assessment helps in establishing any complication that may compromise the transition process of a baby in prior. It is also important in establishing possible complications in the placenta and burden of oxygenation. Therefore, health officials and parents should adopt the concept with an aim of enhancing the wellbeing of newborn babies.
References
Deboer. S. & Stephens, D. (2010). Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the New Born: Case Study and Pathophysiology Review. Web.
Perry, S., Hockenberry M., Lowdermilk, D., & Wilson, D. (2010). Maternal Child Nursing Care. Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby.
Steinhorn, R. (2011). Persistent Newborn Pulmonary Hypertension. Web.
This report deals with the hypertension, a chronic medical condition suffered by million people all over the world. Hypertensives suffer from high blood pressure. This study will examine the disease prevalence level in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the world, paying attention to the various distinct groups of interest. For instance, it highlights the prevalence of hypertension among the urban population comparing it with the level of disease among the rural population. It goes further comparing the same rates between the male and female adults. In addition, the report attempts to state the problems encountered when this problem is unchecked and uninvestigated. Finally, the report gives attention to medical, political and economic solutions available today that can effectively serve to mitigate the problems associated with hypertension.
Background
Hypertension has become a very serious problem following its “silent” impact on its victims (Healthy Aging). As a matter of fact, this disease has no straight symptoms, and one may not be aware of its symptoms until it has fully advanced. Hypertension is called the “silent killer” as far as about one-third of the people suffered from it do not know about it (Healthy Aging).The worst is that this condition results in dangerous threats, such as heart attack, stroke and many other understated problems associated to individual’s memory (Healthy Aging). Consequently, it is vital for everybody to test out his and her blood pressure, if possible, yearly. To do this, one does not need to visit a doctor to check his/her blood pressure as there are simple blood measuring machines a person can buy in many supermarkets that can serve this purpose, if used correctly.
While using this device, one ought to pay attention to the following. Incase the blood pressure is above 120/80 but lower or about 140/100, it can be described as moderately elevated blood pressure. This is not a grave problem in most cases; nevertheless, it can hint a condition of stress or the beginning of arterial disease. On the other hand, if the reading is over 140/100, then it indicates a severe state not caused just by stress as it serves to insinuate a possible problem with the kidneys, arteries or even brain or heart (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute par. 6). In such a case, one is required to retake the blood pressure examination paying attention to the right directions to come out with at least two precise readings. In some cases, an individual is called upon to take the readings from both of his/her arms to get judgment that is more accurate. At this point, it is important to mention that a high reading, regardless if it is taken from both arms or just from one, is a good indicator of a possible problem.
“Essential hypertension” forms over 90 percent of the high blood pressure cases (Types of High Blood Pressure, 2011). This simply means that physician has no clear knowledge of the cause. As a result, majority of holistic and medical doctors just “control” hypertension by means of drugs or the ordinary products like vitamins and herbs (Types of High Blood Pressure, 2011).
The Problem Today
In Saudi Arabia
Following research conducted in the Saudi Arabia between 1995 and 2000 basing on adults aged between 40 and 70 years, the hypertension prevalence has been on the increase (Al-Nozha 170). According to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of hypertension of 160/95 mmHg, it was found that 9.1% and 8.7% citizens of Saudi Arabia were systolic and diastolic hypertensives. As for children younger than 18 years 12.4% and 7.9% were systolic and diastolic hypertensive. Among adults aged 18 years and above, 5.3% were systolic and 7.3% were diastolic hypertensives; among people aged 40 years and over were 87.5% of systolic and 79.4% of diastolic hypertensives. Women were more susceptible to systolic hypertension compared with men (P < 0.01). If another criterion for hypertension definition is taken into account, when blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg, the results among the latter age groups would be 20.4% for systolic and 25.9% for diastolic hypertension. The prevalence of Isolated Systolic
Hypertension (ISH), Isolated Diastolic Hypertension (IDH) and Systolic Diastolic Hypertension (SDH) among adults above 18 years was 1.8%, 3.8% and 3.5% respectively. ISH was higher among females compared with males (2% vs 1.4%), while IDH was higher among males than females (4.4% vs 3.4%). (Al-Nozha 170)
In other countries
The study of other parts of the world showed a similar trend as that observed in Saudi Arabia. For instance, the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that hypertension affected 30% of the American citizens aged between 20 and 75 years (par. 7). This prevalence trend seems to go up if we consider individuals of older age. As indicated in the findings, 66.7 – 78.5 % of the Americans over 75 years have high hypertension prevalence (tab. 1). It is surprising that hypertension, which is considered a disease that is easily mitigated by having food-balancing plan, caused more than 40 million visits to the doctors in 2006 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention par. 13). Actually, an accurate hair mineral examination shows not only the source of the problem, but also how to reduce the blood pressure through reduce of the physical and emotional causes.
Possible Solutons
Medical
Medical approach in solving the problem of hypertension involves a period that ranges from few months to a year of a dietary balancing program. Here, the time taken to correct the problem purely depends on the exact cause (one’s age, the period it has lasted, the person discipline in following the program and other curative factors which may serve either to slow down or speed up the curative process).
Another possible medical solution is the inclusion of the supplements to the fast oxidizers that serve to provide essential mineral like calcium, copper and magnesium. It is also important for hypertension patients to avoid food that increases oxidation rate. Such meals include excessive vitamin c and much proteins (Al-Njzha, Ali & Osman 170-174).
Economic and political
The ongoing gradient of risk linked to hypertension implies that the benefits reversing the risk will also recur from time to time. In most cases, there is a continuous inverse relationship between individual benefit and the total cost of treating hypertension. Consequently, adoption of proper guidelines to cover the different approaches to this issue is vital. On the other hand, politicians should endeavor to let the medical policies be guided by the reality of the matter rather than the main concern on public perception (Swales 1179-1182). The latter only serves to interfere with the independence of hypertension research, which is critically important to the patients suffering from hypertension.
Conclusion
The prevalence of hypertension has been on an increasing trend in Saudi Arabia, which in turn has influenced negatively almost one fourth of the adult people in the whole country. Following this, insistent management of this disease and check ups of adults to mitigate its damaging results are highly recommended. This will come through public awareness of the simple measures, such as exercise, low salt diet and avoiding obesity; these may serve to maintain the arterial blood pressure at its normal range.
Works Cited
Al-Nozha, Mansour, Ali, Mohamed S. and Ali K. Osman. “Arterial Hypertension in Saudi Arabia.” Annals of Saudi Medicine 17.2 (1997): 170-174. Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High Blood Pressure. 2012. Web.
Healthy Aging. n.d. Web.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. What Is High Blood Pressure? 2011. Web.
Swales, John. “Hypertension in the Political Arena”. Hypertension. 35 (2000): 1179-1182. American Heart Association. Web.
An overview of information about the current program initiatives and recent research projects, and their history.
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) focuses on clinical and fundamental research, as well as health and illness research training (Fitzpatrick & Kazer, 2012). The research work is meant to enhance health and prevent diseases. It also aims at improving the quality of life. Furthermore, it aims at improving health disparities. Several program initiatives and research projects such as End of Life and Palliative Care Initiative have been identified. This was after the realization that many people die due to a lack of proper care from the healthcare providers and the community at large. In addition, it had been realized that the advancements that have been realized in medicine and public health are instrumental to long life spans (Clark, 2013).
The health professionals and the community should commit themselves to improving care for dying patients, particularly young children and old people. The NINR works with other institutions such as to sponsor the aforementioned initiatives: End of Life and Palliative Care Initiative (Hinshaw & Grady, 2011). These two initiatives are related to research, education of the health care providers, and community involvement. Social science, biological, and behavioral approaches apply in NINR’s end-of-life and palliative initiatives. These strategies enhance an understanding of the challenges that patients with life threatening diseases face. They also help the caregivers to address the challenges.
NINR supports researchers as they explore interventions to come up with ways of providing patients with high quality and evidence based palliative care. Some of the research topics included in the initiatives include caregivers and providers, using effective palliative care to relieve pain, and suffering and distressing symptoms among others (Hinshaw & Grady, 2011). The NINR supports researches in end-of-life and palliative care initiatives for various reasons. The first reason is to understand the complex issues associated with palliative and end-of-life care. The second reason is to establish and apply relevant strategies to reduce both the physical and psychological burdens of the caregivers, especially when the patient they are caring for is in the stage of end-of –life. The third reason for conducting research in the two initiatives is to create communication strategies for patients, families, clinicians, and communities (Fitzpatrick & Kazer, 2012). This helps the caregivers to make decisions in complex care or treatment options in life threatening illnesses.
Current Funding Priorities
NINR and institutes of NIH provide funds for researches and training. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) allocates 6 per cent of its budget for researches and training (Grove, Burns & Gray, 2013). Compared to the other NIH institutes, NINR provides a higher proportion. Many nurse researchers are faculty members in nursing colleges. This institute intends to provide the next generation of nurses with the relevant faculty to educate them. NINR main objective is to assist the institute. This is particularly in directing funding decisions to relevant researches. The institute has experts to identify areas that need research work (Grove, Burns & Gray, 2013). This ensures that the institute’s fund gets directed to the most prioritized researches.
The NINR is guided by various body’s and organizations in carrying outs its mandate. In general, NINR funds researches that focus on innovation. Nurse scientists with capabilities of discovering new solutions are more considered by NINR than those that research on the existing solutions.
References
Clark, D. (2013). Transforming the culture of dying: The work of the Project on Death in America. New York: Oxford University Press.
Fitzpatrick, J.J., & Kazer, M.W. (2012). Encyclopedia of nursing research. New York: Springer Pub.
Grove, S.K., Burns, N., & Gray, J. (2013). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier/Saunders.
Hinshaw, A.S., & Grady, P.A. (2011). Shaping health policy through nursing research. New York, NY: Springer.
Primary hypertension, also known as essential or idiopathic hypertension, is a considerable rise in blood pressure because of some undetermined cause (Bolivar, 2013). It is one of the most common chronic diseases that touch upon millions of people as a leading risk factor when a systolic pressure reaches the point 140 mmHg and more, and diastolic pressure is more than 90 mmHg (Rapsomaniki et al., 2014). In this project, the case of a 45-year-old African-American male, Mr. Irving, who addresses his primary hypertension, is analyzed. The pathophysiology of primary hypertension and its five symptoms will be described to interpret and comprehend the worth of lab and diagnostic tests of a patient.
Pathophysiology of Primary Hypertension
As a rule, the pathophysiology of primary hypertension is a complex system of the explanation of the hypertension causes and a number of risk factors that can be developed and influence the patient’s condition with time. Primary hypertension is usually diagnosed in 95% of cases because there is no known medical cause but the impact of some genetic or environmental factors (McCance & Huether, 2015). There are several risk factors that may be identified as the possible causes of primary hypertension. For example, family history of hypertension, age, gender, and race factors cannot be neglected. In the case under analysis, the patient is a 45-year-old African-American man. McCance and Huether (2015) identify that black-race people and men younger than 55 are under a threat of having primary hypertension. The elevation of blood pressure is also possible because of the maintenance of salt and water homeostasis.
Other important factors of primary hypertension are connected with smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, and poor diet. Besides, regarding the fact that primary hypertension is a result of the interactions that take place between the environment and patient’s genetics, it is possible to say that even if a person does not smoke and promotes a healthy style of life, they may be under a threat of having problems with blood pressure. Besides, different genetic vulnerabilities (like insulin resistance) and environmental risk factors (like inflammation) may lead to the dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system and rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and adducin (McCance & Huether, 2015). These processes result in vasoconstriction and later increased peripheral resistance or renal salt/water retention and later- increased blood volume. Both reactions lead to sustained hypertension. The change of blood pressure that results in primary hypertension depends on the quality and frequency of sodium transportation in renal epithelial cells. In their turn, epithelial cells can be changed and influence the process of sodium transportation because of the presence of some toxins in the organism or even simple and inevitable aging.
Description of Symptoms with the Help of POLDCARTS
In this case, the patient has several symptoms that are used to diagnose primary hypertension and its possible outcomes on the male conditions. To analyze the symptoms in a clear and comprehensive way the POLDCARTS tool is used below.
Hypertension
Dry Cough
Feeling Tired
Constipation
Ten Pound Wt Gain
Dry Skin
P – Previous similar occurrence
Sometimes, a dry cough took place after communication with smoking people. Still, no similar cases before were observed.
The same cases were observed when he was young, but he explained it as an outcome of protracted educational processes.
The patient complains of constipation appears as soon as he starts using OTC Robitussin (Andrews & Storr, 2011). No similar problems have been mentioned before.
The patient was in a good form before and was fond of different kinds of sport.
During all his life, the patient has not complained of the skin problems.
O– Onset
The problems bother the patient during the last three months.
The patient realized that he was constantly tired one month. before
It was one week ago when the patient felt the problems with defecation.
First problems with weight were observed two months before he addressed the doctor.
The problems with skin were first observed one week ago.
L– Location
Throat is the place where the patient feels pain.
Head and legs are the main locators of this kind of pain.
The gut is the source of pain during constipation.
The formation of a little tum and swollen fingers was observed.
The skin of face and hands was changed.
D – Duration
The patient is experiencing a dry cough at night during the last several weeks only and suffers from sleepless nights often.
The patient has been feeling tired during the last few months constantly.
The patient has constipation problems once or two times per day while visiting the toilet.
Overweighting bothers the patient during the last two months.
The skin looks dry during the last week.
C– Characteristics
An excessive and even itchy dry cough bother the patient.
Physical fatigue and dull headache may last during the whole day.
Sharp pain and continuous contractions appear from time to time.
Lack of energy to complete a longitudinal physical task bothers the patient.
Itch is the main characteristic that is connected with
A – Aggravating
As soon as the patient lies on the bed, a cough is aggravating.
Additional physical exercises promote fatigue.
The decision to eat more chocolate may cause additional gut pain.
Eating at nights when it is hard to sleep may lead to overweighting.
Additional scratching may cause more pain or even redness.
R – Relieving
A glass of water or Robitussin could help a bit.
A glass of fresh juice and fresh air walk are helpful.
Regular movements and use of vegetables help to cope with constipation pain.
Water instead of food can be a good source of relief.
A moisturizing cream can be a good solution for pain relief.
T – Temporal
A dry cough bothers at night usually.
The patient feels tired all day and night long.
The patient suffers from constipation in the morning usually.
It is hard to wake up in the morning and walk during a day.
All day long, especially during the heat.
S – Severity*
1
2
5
8
5
* Scale from 1 to 10.
Pathophysiological Origins of Five Symptoms
The evaluation of pathophysiological origins of the symptoms Mr. Irving has should help to analyze his condition and understand the reasons for the identified health problems. As a protective reflex that aims at clearing the airways (McCance & Huether, 2015), a cough may be initiated by inhaled particles, accumulated mucus, or inflammation (the environmental factor). Besides, there can be some foreign bodies that may stimulate irritant receptors that cause a cough. A person is not always able to understand a true reason for a cough, especially for a dry cough, and tries to use the most familiar solutions like a glass of water or fresh air. However, a high blood pressure requires the use of special drugs that may cause a cough.
Fatigue is another symptom of the disease the patient suffers from. Its peculiar feature is the presence of numerous causes starting from the inability to sleep properly and ending with a wrong reaction to medications. In this particular case, such causes as lack of sleep, wrong medications, and poor physical activities. Not many things should be done or undone to get tired, and Mr. Irving believes that the main reason for him feeling tired is the inability to sleep well during a considerable period of time. The causes of constipation do not depend on primary hypertension directly. Still, it is possible to identify the connection between several symptoms at the same time and find a logical explanation of constipation. Obesity can be the reason for a high blood pressure. Obesity or even a slow gaining of weight also leads to the lack of physical activities. A bowel, as a part of a human organism, also lacks the required portion of activities. It stops working systematically, and constipation is one of the possible outcomes of obesity that is identified as an outcome of hypertension. Among the variety of pathophysiological mechanisms that may develop obesity, the presence of leptin gene is one of the most crucial factors. It participates in interactions that control appetite. As soon as it is mutated, the risks of overweighting may be enlarged, and the risks of the hypertension are developed as well (Bravo et al., 2006).
As for the pathophysiology of origins of the last symptom, dry skin, the researchers fail to discover a single direct cause. There are many internal and external factors that may be considered including the changes in temperature, age, or genetic peculiarities. Dry skin may also be a result of the use of medicines for high blood pressure. It may happen that Mr. Irving takes some drugs to stabilize his pressure and cause the allergy of his skin.
Worth of Lab and Diagnostic Tests
To analyze the condition of the patient, several lab tests and physical examination are conducted. The results of TSH test shows the level of thyroid stimulating hormones in the blood that is responsible for the process of metabolism in the organism (McCance & Huether, 2015). The results should be kept between 0.5 and 5.2. The patient’s results reach 6. T4 reaches 3.2 (regarding the normal results between 4.5 and 14.4). Such results can be interpreted as the sign of evident hypothyroidism. In addition, free T4 test results are also low. It is another sign of hypothyroidism. There are also abnormal results of creatinine that make the doctors pay more attention to the condition of the patient’s kidneys. Malfunctioning of kidneys may also be proved by a high level of blood urea nitrogen. The patient has 24 with normal results between 7 and 20.
Still, the normal results of CMP (Comprehensive metabolic panel) and CBC (complete blood count) provide the doctor and the patient with a chance that there is no terrible kidney disease just its possible malfunctions that can be properly treated, and the conditions of the patient may be improved by means of properly chosen drugs and therapies. The physical examination of the patients does not show any abnormalities as well. Such results mean that the patient is under a threat of having chronic kidney troubles that can be the reason for hypertension. It is required to take medical treatment and protect the organism at its early stage.
Tests’ Meaning and Patient’s Problems
The case of the patient is not complicated. Still, more attention should be paid to the family history and all symptoms that bother the patient. Mr. Irving’s mother died from a stroke, and Mr. Irving’s father died of a heart attack. To avoid similar complications, all tests should be passed again after the treatment is complete. The analysis of kidneys and its connection to hypertension has to be conducted. In this case, hypertension may not be just a disease that has to be treated. It may be a new symptom that leads to a new serious disease that can be characterized by such additional symptoms as dry skin, obesity, sleeping disorders, and fatigue.
Conclusion
The evaluation of the pathopsychological mechanisms of hypertension and its symptoms is helpful indeed. It shows that Mr. Irving’s condition may be explained in a variety of way. Despite the fact that this man supports an active style of life, avoids smoking and alcohol, and wants to control his blood pressure, there are the situations when he fails to meet his goals. There are many external and internal factors that have to be considered. He should also remember the family history and try to protect his organism against various harmful elements connected with poor diets or smoking environment. A dry cough, dry skin, fatigue, overweighting, and constipation may be not the only sings of a disease that doctors call a primary hypertension. More tests and analysis should be taken to clarify the situation and offer an appropriate treatment.
References
Andrews, C.N. & Storr, M. (2011). The pathophysiology of chronic constipation. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, 25(B), 16-21.
Bravo, P.E., Morse, S., Borne, D.M., Aguilar, E.A., & Reisin, E. (2006). Leptin and hypertension in obesity. Vascular Health and Risk Management, 2(2), 163-169.
McCance, K.L. & Huether, S.E. (2015). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Rapsomaniki, E., Timmis, A., George, J., Pujades-Rodriguez, M., Shah, A.D., Denaxas, S., White, I.R., Caulfield, M.J., Deanfield, J.E., Smeeth, L., Williams, B., Hingorani, A. & Hemingway, H. (2014). Blood pressure and incidence of twelve cardiovascular diseases: Lifetime risks, healthy life-years lost, and age-specific associations in 1.25 million people. The Lancet, 383(9932), 1899-1911.
Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a common disease, especially in the United States. Studies indicate that almost 1 in 3 American adults are suffering from hypertension. One unfortunate thing is that the condition is more prevalent among African Americans than among whites. Hypertension is known to begin at an earlier age and is usually very severe. Research also indicates that African Americans are more likely to develop difficulties that are related to high blood pressure. This is inclusive of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, dementia, and blindness. Although there is still no definite reason as to why hypertension is a common issue among African Americans, researchers believe that certain factors are likely to trigger hypertension among them.
In this article, Heckler et al (2008) evaluated the common beliefs and lifestyle behaviors concerning hypertension among African Americans as well as their hypertension management. The authors also examined medication adherence, lifestyle, and self reducing behaviors among the population. Heckler et al (2008) indicated that there is a close relationship between hypertension- caused by factors such as weight, age, and diet- and lower systolic blood pressure among African Americas. The authors also indicated that stress, as a factor for cause and control of hypertension, was related to involvement in stress-related behaviors as opposed to blood pressure.
This article presented significant findings concerning studies carried out on hypertension among African Americans. This is because most of the previous research has only suggested the value of lifestyle behaviors but not stress-reducing behaviors as some of the significant modes of managing hypertension among African Americas. However, the research is grazed by several limitations such as reliance on one reading while assessing pressure control, assessment of behaviors by interview, and using cross-sectional study design to support causal interpretation (Heckler et al., 2008). Nevertheless, this article has significant implications in nursing practice. It can be used to improve disease management and control among hypertensive Africa Americans.
This article discusses the relationship between the glomerular number, birth weight, and blood pressure among African Americans and their white counterparts. In the article, Hughson et al. (2006) assert that low birth weight and low nephron number may result in hypertension development in Whites but not African Americans.
One of the strengths of this research is its ability to investigate other risk factors that may be associated with hypertension disproportionality among blacks. Although many types of research have investigated the prevalence of hypertension among African Americans, few have been concerned with risks factors associated with hypertension.
However, although Hughson et al. (2006) indicated that the number of nephrons may contribute to hypertension, there are other factors, other than the nephron number that also contribute to elevated blood pressures. Nevertheless, this article has significant applicability to nursing practice. The findings, for instance, maybe significant to other studies that hold that there are differences in hypertension pathogenesis in African Americans compared with their white counterparts.
In this article, Klymko et al. (2008) investigated the association of cognitive impairments with hypertension-related self-care, cognitive function, and blood pressure among the African-American older population. They found out that African American elders indicated a high prevalence of cognitive impairments and other co-morbidities confirming the association of cognitive impairment and co-morbidities with hypertension (Klymko et al., 2008).
Although the sample size in this research appeared to be too small to bring about comprehensive research findings, this article provides significant support to various researches that have been carried out on hypertension prevalence among African Americans. Various studies have cited genetics, weight, increased age, smoking, high dietary salt and fat, little physical activity, low ingestion of potassium, and diabetes to be the major contributors.
Therefore, this article can be useful for nurses who provide patient education to elders with hypertension. Usually, elders with cognitive impairment may be susceptible to incorrect medication use which may, in turn, affect their hypertension management efforts.
Hypertension is a common disease in the United States and almost 1 in 3 American adults are suffering from hypertension. However, several studies have indicated that African Americans are more likely to develop difficulties that are related to high blood pressure compared to their white counterparts. As a result, more research has been carried out to determine the contributing factors to such disproportion in hypertension prevalence. Klymko et al. (2008) investigated the prevalence of cognitive impairments and examined the relationship among hypertension-related self-care, cognitive function, and blood pressure among the African-American older population. They indicated that African American elders showed a high prevalence of cognitive impairments and other co-morbidities confirming the association of cognitive impairment and co-morbidities with hypertension.
Another research by Hughson et al. (2006) investigated the relationship between the glomerular number, birth weight, and blood pressure among African Americans and their white counterparts. They asserted that low birth weight and low nephron number may result in hypertension development in Whites but not African Americans.
Heckler et al (2008) also examined the common sense beliefs and behaviors concerning hypertension among African Americans as well as their hypertension management concerning Leventhal’s commonsense model of self-regulation (CSM). They indicated that there is a close relationship between hypertension- caused by factors such as weight, age, and diet- and lower systolic blood pressure among African Americas (Heckler et al., 2008). Although various limitations were inherent in every study or article, these articles provided significant applicability to nursing practice.
References
Heckler, E. B., Lambert, J., Leventhal, E., Leventhal, H., Jahn, E., & Contrada, R.J. (2008). Common sense illness beliefs, adherence behaviors, and hypertension control among African Americans. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31: 391-400.
Hughson, M. D., Douglas-Denton, R., Bertram, J. F., & Hoy, W. E. (2006). Hypertension, glomerular number, and birth weight in African Americans and white subjects in the southeastern United States. International Society of Nephrology, 69, 671-678.
Klymko, K.W., Artinmina, N.T., Washington, G.M., Lichtenberg, P. A, & Vander Wal, S.J. (2008). Effect of Impaired Cognition on Hypertension Outcomes in Older Urban African Americans. MEDSURG Nursing, 17(6): 405-410.
The research was will be carried out in African American population to find out what might be the real cause of hypertension among elderly people and how it can be prevented (Burns, Grove and Gray, 2010, p. 87). Hypertension is a medical condition that can limit the information given by its patients and their family members. This is because they do not have to go deep into the disease rather than understand how to administrate the prescribed medication. Therefore, according to Burns, Grove, and Gray (2010, p.56), the research question will be: What are the possible ways to prevent hypertension in African American population?
Literature Review
High blood pressure is a disease that affects African Americans in unique ways, which include early development unlike other people in the United States of America. This means that hypertension develops among young people in this group of people. Most cases of hypertension develop among the elderly in society due to reduced immunity in the body system (Klymko et al, 2008). In addition, those affected in African- American society remain with high chances of developing related complications. Unlike, in other parts of the US and the world in general, stroke, kidney diseases, blindness, and heart diseases are rampant among people with high blood pressure in African American societies (Terre, 2009).
Genetic factors contribute a lot to these unique exposures to hypertension and related complications. This can be proved by the fact that people back in Africa with their traditional lifestyles are less likely to acquire these diseases (Hekler et al, 2008). In addition, those who are unlucky to develop hypertension do not develop related complications easily (Hershkovitz et al, 2007). This happens to Americans, as well. Another factor that contributes to high blood pressure among African American population is environmental factors. The environment forces the black to adapt to new lifestyles, which include feeding habits and social lifestyles. (Hughson et al 2006). This means that they should adopt lifestyles that aim at improving their health and resisting the development of high blood pressure.
Sample Selection
The sample to be used for this study should be the young people in the African American population. Since the disease develops in young people, they are best fit to give data on what they think about hypertension and its prevention. The young blacks in America can provide adequate information regarding high blood pressure. They can openly discuss their lifestyles and feeding habits hence helping in the assessment of foods that can cause high blood pressure (Burns, Grove and Gray, 2010, p. 77).
The target population can be reached through social media at specified times. This means that since the majority of the target population is the youth who spend much of their time on social networks, they can be approached to respond to the set research questions.
Methodology
The research should use various methods to collect data from the selected sample of the population. Data collectors will make use of the internet through social networks to reach most of the target population. This means that data collectors will talk to their Facebook friends from the African American society and try to figure out what they think about the disease. In addition, data collectors will be sent to areas where these people are prevalent and try to carry out physical interviews to collect reliable information from society about hypertension.
Finally, researchers will use observation to collect information regarding hypertension in African American society (Burns, Grove, and Gray, 2010, p. 67). This will involve the known facts from past experiences. For example, they may observe their feeding habits and other lifestyles and compare with the present theories regarding hypertension and its prevention.
Dependent variables can be changed or manipulated by other factors. For example, the lifestyles of people in this society will be the dependent variables. This is because they can be varied by changing lifestyles hence altering the results (Hershkovitz et al, 2007). For instance, smoking increases the rate of developing hypertension but people may decide to quit smoking hence affecting the rate.
Independent variables cannot be changed by other factors hence remain fixed. Hypertension is the independent variable because once it has developed there is not much the researcher can do about it but to study how to deal with it. This means that once one has developed hypertension or related complications, not much can be done to reverse it. Studies can be carried out on how to manage it or prevent its occurrence to other people.
Confounding variables are variables whose presence affects the variables being studied. In this study culture is the confounding variable it affects variables being studied (Terre, 2009). This is where culture may prevent people from disclosing important information to the researchers. People in this society may have their theories regarding causes of hypertension hence affecting the study.
Institutional Review Board
It is ethical to keep all information given voluntarily in confidence at all times. This is noteworthy because respondents feel safe disclosing their health status to data collectors. Information regarding one’s health is vital and should be confidential hence disclosing it to the public may result in a court suit. To safeguard the participants, data collectors will be trained on ethically handling the respondents hence winning their trust.
Data Analysis/Results
A lot of data concerning hypertension will be collected from the research. For example, it will be possible to collect data regarding the age at which hypertension develops in many cases. In addition, researchers will be able to understand the taboos and other beliefs that are there concerning the alarming prevalence of the condition in African American society. Information about causes and prevention of the disease will also be collected and recorded (Terre, 2009).
After the study is carried, information will be compiled and analyzed using various tools of data analysis. Therefore, an inclusive report will be written so that it will help its audience to deal with the menace. It will be useful to the African American and other scholars in maintaining the condition.
Discussion
The research was to find what should be done to tackle the issue hypertension. This should include how the society should control their eating habits in order to curb the menace. All concerned people should make sure that they give vital information about how to handle the disease (Burns, Grove and Gray, 2010). Then the information gathered was to help the same people to handle complications related to hypertension.
The study may face several challenges which involve ignorance from people. This means that people may be unwilling to respond to questions asked or give partial information due to lack of knowledge on the disease. Data collectors may also face challenges due to language barrier where they may have to interview people with different languages hence requiring translation. In addition, the cost of carrying out the study may be high as data collectors may be required to move from places to places.
Finally, the study should come up with a report that will provide enough information to nurses and the public in general. This means that the information from the study should offer guidance on how to handle hypertension in this society. In addition, the report should recommend to the nurses on how to manage patients with high blood pressure related complications.
References
Burns, N., Grove, S. K. & Gray, J. (2010). Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence-Based Practice. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Klymko, K. W., Artinian, N. T., Washington, O. G., Lichtenberg, P. A. & VanderWal, J. S. (2008).Effect of impaired cognition on hypertension outcomes in older urban African Americans. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 17(6). Web.
Terre, T. (2009). Advancing the Prevention and Control of Hypertension. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 25(9). 123-134. Web.