Running Head: HYPERTENSION 1

Hypertension

Student’s Name

Institution
HYPERTENSION 2

Hypertension

Incidence and Prevalence

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Australia. The

Australian Bureau of statistics determined that in the period the disease affected one out of every

ten Australians. This translates to a grim figure of 2.6 million individuals or just over 10% of the

population. The fact that it still is a leading cause of illness in the country is underlined by the

steady growth in prevalence over the past decade from 9.4% in 2008. Hypertension does not

show any significant difference between its prevalence in females and males, with 10.7% and

10.55 affected respectively. However, the prevalence in men has been on the decline since 2014

where it stood at 12% while the prevalence in females has remained largely the same over the

same period. Further, hypertension cases increase with age. the Australian population has been

aging over the last two decades. The number of individuals affected between the ages of 45-54

years is three times that of individuals between 35-44 years. At 75 years and above, the

prevalence stood at 41.5%. This is an indicator of the significance of age. Compounding this

problem is the fact that just over 1 in 5 Australians had their blood pressure readings taken in the

period under review, which is the 2017-2018 window (ABS, 2018).

Modifiable and non-modifiable factors

The multifactorial causal relationships responsible for the development of hypertension

mean that there are modifiable and non-modifiable factors at play. The modifiable factors are

those that can be addressed by lifestyle changes. These include unhealthy diets, smoking and

drinking habits, high levels of sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy weight levels. These are

culprits for poor cardiovascular health that leads to increased cholesterol levels and accumulation

of plaque in blood vessels compounding or causing high blood pressure. These factors are the
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usual targets for behavioral and medical intervention as part of the regimen for hypertension

management (Van Der Sande et al., 2019). The non-modifiable factors cannot be addressed in

therapy and are risk factors for the development and progression of hypertension. They include

age, ethnicity, and a family history of hypertension. A family history of hypertension is a major

risk factor for developing the disease. Additionally, in Australia in particular, the issue of

ethnicity is a compounding factor given that there are higher reported levels of the disease and its

related complications in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This has been linked

to factors such as diet, access to primary care and prevention, and the low levels of physical

activity as lifestyle changes are ingrained within this vulnerable population (Govindarajan,

Ravichandran, Sundararajan, & Sreeja, 2017; Helms et al., 2020).

Hypertension Grading in Australia

The National Blood pressure and Vascular Disease Advisory Committee reviewed

international standards and identify areas that required change. First, comprehensive BP

assessments should include measurements taken on separate occasions. These measurements can

then be used to place patients in diagnostic categories. Patients categorized as ‘optimal’ when

their BPs are lower than 120/80. They are categorized as ‘normal’ with BPs of 120-129/80-84

mmHg. They are graded as high-normal with BPs of 130-139/85-89 mmHg. Patients are

categorized as mild hypertensive or ‘grade 1’ with BPs of 140-159/90-99 mmHg. Moderate

hypertension or ‘grade 2’ is determined at BPs between 160-179/100-109 mmHg. Severe

hypertension or ‘grade 3’ is indicated by BPs of over 180/110 mmHg. Finally, isolated systolic

hypertension is determined at over 140/90 mmHg (Gabb et al., 2016).

HYPERTENSION 4

Case Study Education Plan and Allied Healthcare Teams

Education Goals of health Experts/resources/multidisciplinary References

topic and education team members
Smoking The goal is to This should be done in collaboration with Spears et al.,
have the patient a behavioural therapist. The team should 2017
quit smoking. For include information such as the relevant
patients who find group therapy for social support and
it particularly provide referrals as necessary. Consider
difficult to quit including the services of a
smoking despite hypnotherapist.
its deleterious
effect on the
management of
cardiovascular
dysfunctions such
as hypertension,
extensive patient
education on
available
psychological
interventions such
as cognitive-
behavioural
therapy. The
practitioner should
also provide
evidence-based
information on the
effect of smoking
on the progression
and outcomes of
hypertension in
the patient
Medication The goal is to The services of a psychologist maybe Roldan, Ho
adherence increase necessary. & Ho, 2018;
adherence to Siang,
medication. Hassali, &
Therefore, it is Fen, 2019.
important to
ensure that there is
constant
communication
between the
patient and the
practitioner to
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illuminate issues
such as the
complexity of
regimen and
conflicting
personal and
health beliefs and
behaviours.
Following this, the
practitioner should
ensure that the
patient
understands the
nature of the
disease, the
detriments of non-
adherence, and the
benefits of
compliance with
medication. It is
also important to
explain that the
side effects of the
medication can be
controlled and
come up with a
comprehensive
regimen in
collaboration with
the pharmacists
that addresses the
specific patient
needs with
minimal adverse
effects. The
practitioner should
provide the patient
with information
on drug
administration
assistance devices
such as mobile-
based reminders.
This should be
provided in a
manner that is
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culturally
sensitive in terms
of language and
simplicity of use.
Address the
psychological
burden of chronic
illness that stems
from prolonged
morbidity, fears
over disability,
and family health
histories. For this
particular patient
the psychological
determinants of
self-care need to
be identified and
reinforced.
Physical It is important to Further, in collaboration with a physical Börjesson,
activity address the effects therapist or exercise physiologist, an M., Onerup,
of medication and appropriate activity schedule and plan A.,
illness on the should be formulated. This should be Lundqvist,
energy profile of tailored around the facilities that are S., & Dahlöf,
this patient. The available to the client relative to cost and B. (2016).
goal here is to proximity.
ensure that there is
an increase in the
level of physical
activity. This will
in turn address
obesity and have a
positive effect on
the patient
outcomes. The
patient should be
educated on the
need for and the
types of physical
activities
available.
Dietary Conclusive The nutritionist should be consulted in Masana et
Modification analysis of the developing a comprehensive dietary plan al., 2017.
patient's diet for the patient taking such aspects as
relative to energy requirements and medication.
socioeconomic
HYPERTENSION 7

and cultural
variables should
be undertaken.
The patient should
be educated on the
plan and the
benefits of each
component of the
diet on her health
and management
of hypertension. It
is also important
to educate the
patient on the
consumption of
low sodium diets
and limiting fluid
intake levels to
mitigate
hypertension and
facilitate the
action of
diltiazem.

Retinopathy The goal is to The services of an optometrist in Tsukikawa &

preserve the screening for retinopathy and formulating Stacey,
patient’s site and a patient education plan that includes
prevent further blood sugar and pressure control as well
damage by as danger signs to report.
increased blood
pressure.
HYPERTENSION 8

References

ABS. (2018). Hypertension and measured high blood pressure. Retrieved from

https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~2017-

18~Main%20Features~Hypertension%20and%20measured%20high%20blood

%20pressure~60

Börjesson, M., Onerup, A., Lundqvist, S., & Dahlöf, B. (2016). Physical activity and exercise

lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension: narrative review of 27 RCTs. Br J

Sports Med, 50(6), 356-361.

Gabb, G. M., Mangoni, A. A., Anderson, C. S., Cowley, D., Dowden, J. S., Golledge, J., ... &

Schlaich, M. (2016). Guideline for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in

adults—2016. Medical Journal of Australia, 205(2), 85-89.

Govindarajan, P., Ravichandran, K. S., Sundararajan, S., & Sreeja, S. (2017, May). Impact of

modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors on the prediction of stroke disease. In 2017

International Conference on Trends in Electronics and Informatics (ICEI) (pp. 985-989).

IEEE.

Helms, A., Gilhotra, R., Preston, S., Saireddy, R., Starmer, G., & Sutcliffe, S. (2020). P188

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Australians have significantly worse coronary disease, risk

factors, and 4-year outcomes compared with non-indigenous Australians. European

Heart Journal, 41(Supplement_1), ehz872-065.

Masana, L., Ros, E., Sudano, I., Angoulvant, D., Gerediaga, D. I., Eizagaechevarria, N. M., ... &

Weingärtner, O. (2017). Is there a role for lifestyle changes in cardiovascular prevention?

What, when and how?. Atherosclerosis Supplements, 26, 2-15.

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Roldan, P. C., Ho, G. Y., & Ho, P. M. (2018). Updates to adherence to hypertension

medications. Current hypertension reports, 20(4), 34.

Spears, C. A., Hedeker, D., Li, L., Wu, C., Anderson, N. K., Houchins, S. C., ... & Waters, A. J.

(2017). Mechanisms underlying mindfulness-based addiction treatment versus cognitive-

behavioral therapy and usual care for smoking cessation. Journal of consulting and

clinical psychology, 85(11), 1029.

Siang, T. C., Hassali, M. A. A., & Fen, N. C. (2019). The Role of Pharmacist in Managing

Hypertension in the Community: Findings from a Community Based Study. Indian

Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 53(3), 553-561.

Tsukikawa, M., & Stacey, A. W. (2020). A Review of Hypertensive Retinopathy and

Chorioretinopathy. Clinical Optometry, 12, 67.

Van Der Sande, N. G., Blankestijn, P. J., Visseren, F. L., Beeftink, M. M., Voskuil, M.,

Westerink, J., ... & Spiering, W. (2019). Prevalence of potential modifiable factors of

hypertension in patients with difficult-to-control hypertension. Journal of

hypertension, 37(2), 398-405.