Outcomes following a programme for lifestyle changes with people with hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to explore the effects of using a structured nursing intervention programme in hypertension care.


BACKGROUND
Counselling on lifestyle changes to address hypertension helps patients reduce risk factors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, overweight, dyslipidemia, negative stress and physical inactivity.


METHODS
The study was performed as a pre-test-post-test study.


METHODS
All 177 patients diagnosed with hypertension visiting a health centre in Southern Sweden were invited to be counselled by a public health nurse about hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors and non-pharmacological treatment with 15 months follow up.


RESULTS
One hundred patients participated in the study. Systolic blood pressure decreased overall (p < 0.01), three patients with high alcohol consumption were identified, two smokers stopped smoking, two new diabetics were discovered, physical activity increased (p = 0.035) and one-third of the patients changed their medication.


CONCLUSIONS
The level of exercise increased and a reduction in systolic blood pressure and in women's weight were the most obvious results of this intervention study. The study elucidates the challenge of executing health behaviour changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Counselling following a hypertension programme gives hypertensive patients a chance to execute lifestyle changes and have their medication adjusted to achieve goals for blood pressure control. Further prospective studies in this area, with well-defined intervention approaches and several years of follow up, are necessary.
Drevenhorn
Eva
E
Faculty of Health and Caring Sciences, Institute of Nursing, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. eva.drevenhorn@comhem.se
Kjellgren
Karin I
KI
Bengtson
Ann
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000451:nursing*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D013548:Sweden