Introduction
Hypertension is a condition that effects
most of the population throughout the world
and is a leading cause of morbidity and
mortality. Hypertension is much more than a
cardiovascular disease because it affects other
systems of body, such as kidneys, brain and
Key words :
eyes. It is powerful and independent predictor
Practices, hypertensive patients. of premature deaths and is asymptomatic till
its damaging effects, such as stroke,
myocardial infarction, and renal dysfunction,
are observed1.
Hyper tension is an intermittent or
persistent elevation of blood pressure (systolic
Correspondence at : pressure above 140mm Hg or diastolic blood
Kuldeep Kaur, pressure above 90 mm Hg or a systolic and
Lecturer, CON, diastolic pressure of 20mm Hg above the
DMC&H, Ludhiana normal baseline pressure2.
Nursing and Midwifery Research Journal, Vol-3, No. 2, April 2007 65
Hyper tension is highly prevalent Objectives
worldwide. In 2000, 26.4% of adult population To assess the practices of patients
were recorded as hypertensive throughout the regarding hypertension.
world and expected to increase by 60% by
20253. Materials and Methods
Studies have shown poor and faulty This descriptive study was conducted
self-care practices among hyper tensive at D.M.C & H, Ludhiana in the month of
patients. The National Egyptian Hypertension February 2006. This is an autonomous
Project showed that only 37.5% of institute of medical education and research.
hypertensive were aware of having high blood The hospital has the capacity of 1000 beds,
pressure, 23.9% were receiving treatment and which renders excellent services for all
only 8% had controlled their blood pressure4. specialties.
Aubert et al (1998) conducted a study Target population comprised all the
representing sample of 1067 adults aged 25 hypertensive patients attending cardiology
to 64 years. Among hyper tensive patients OPD at DMC&H Ludhiana. Purposive
50% were aware of their condition, 34% were sampling was used to select the sample from
getting treatment and 10% had controlled thier target population based on inclusion criteria.
blood pressure5. A total of 50 hypertensive patients attending
outpatients of DMC&H were studied.
Hypertension is also known as "Silent
Killer." Hypertension, if uncontrolled, can lead The data was collected by interview
to large number of complications with method. Interview schedule comprised of
consequent death. The W.H.O has estimated different parts like identification data, socio-
that high blood pressure is responsible for demographic data and life style practices. The
every eighth death, making hypertension the tool was checked for validity and reliability.
third leading killer in the world, and for nearly The various responses given were given a
20% of all deaths world-wide7. score.
Moreover, during clinical experience A written permission was sought from
the investigators have found poor lifestyle the competent authority. Investigator made list
practices among hypertensive patients, so the of patients to be interviewed and recorded
need was felt to assess the practices of thier blood pressure. Interview of all the
hypertensive patients to highlight the extent patients were conducted separately after
of problem. Moreover, based on the findings explaining the purpose.
of the study the health professionals can plan Thus, a total of 50 patients were
the health education programmes to improve interviewed. Data was analyzed by using
the rate of control of hypertension among descriptive statistics and presented through
hypertensive patients. tables and figures.
Discussion
Patients practices regarding high blood by Egan reporting that 80% were taking
pressure plays an important role in the ability medicine regularly and 20% were no longer
to control hypertension. In the present study, taking medicine regularly7.
50 hypertensive patients aged 38-80 years Present study had shown that 90% of
were interviewed to asses their practices hypertensive subjects were never using
regarding hypertension. alternative medicines , 42% were always
Life practices of hyper tensive maintaining their follow up schedule , 54%
patients were assessed in terms of always, of hypertensive patients were going for
most of the time, sometimes, and never. regular check up and 82% of hypertensive
Present study has shown that 70% patients patients were never maintaining their log-
were taking their medication as prescribed books .(Table 2)
and 15% were taking medicine sometimes It was also found that majority were
where as 4% were never taking medicine avoiding intake of fats in their daily dietary
(Table 2) . Similar findings were revealed
Nursing and Midwifery Research Journal, Vol-3, No. 2, April 2007 69
pattern , more than 50% were taking fresh References
fr uits in their daily diet and 98% of 1. George A M. The global burden of
hypertensive patients taking one teaspoon of hypertension: good news and bad news.
salt daily (Table 2). The dietary approaches Cardiology clinics 2002; 20: 181-185
to stop hypertension (DASH) eating plan 2. Black M J, Hawks H J, Keene M A.
encompasses a diet rich in fruits, Medical-surgical nursing clinical management
vegetables, and low - fat diet production for positive outcomes.6th ed. Philedephia:
Saunders 2001; 1379-94
and may lower blood pressure by 8-
14mmHg (Swetkey,2001). The DASH trial has 3. Devika S. Global burden of hypertension:
analysis of worldwide data. Lancet 2005; 365:
shown reduction in blood pressure of 3.5/2. 217-23.
1mmHg in normotensive individuals on
4. Ibrahim M. Future of research in
consumption of diet recommended by hypertension in developing countries. Clinical
DASH . research 1996; 2(2): 202-05.
Patients can gain from exercise ,weight 5. Aubert line et al .Knowledge, attitude, and
loss, cessation of smoking, reduction of practices on hyper tension in a country in
sodium and alcohol intake and increased epidemiological transition. Hypertension 1998;
31; 1136- 45.
potassium and calcium intake. These
modifications can improve overall health in 6. WHO expert committee. Hypertension
control. WHO technical report series no
addition to lowering blood pressure10.
862.Geneva, Switzerland: World Health
Where as the present study revealed 54% Organisation; 1996.
hyper tensive patients were not doing
7. Egan, Lackland, Cutler. wareness,
physical exercises or yoga /meditation . Only knowledge, and attitude of older americans about
38% were go for brisk walk daily for 30-45 high blood pressure:implications for health care
minutes (Table 2). policy,education, and research.Arch intern med
2003 Mar 24;163(6);654-56.
So, the present study has thrown
significant light on practices of hypertensive 8. Mark A. Patient knowledge and
awareness of hypertension is suboptimal results
patients. Varied practices have been found from a large health maintenance organization.
among hyper tensive patients regarding J Clin Hypertensions 2003; 5(4):254-60.
control of hypertension. Based on findings it
was recommended that a nursing personnel
should be appointed in cardiology O.P.D to
motivate the patients to adopt healthy lifestyle
practices for controlling blood pressure.