Introduction
Hypertension poses a significant threat to public health; therefore, it is essential to adopt an interprofessional approach to mitigating the risks of developing the disease. Hypertension is a condition characterized by a sustained increase in blood pressure. Accompanying many diseases, hypertension is a risk factor for the development of dangerous complications in the cardiovascular system (Kudzma & Edelman, 2021). Hypertension is the leading cause of the pathology under consideration, which requires the patient to take medications and adopt a normal lifestyle and nutrition. Hypertension typically develops during adulthood and later in life, requiring special attention from medical personnel due to its prevalence.
Epidemiology and Statistics
The risk of developing hypertension increases with age, starting approximately at 20. By the age of 60, the risks of developing arterial hypertension increase to almost 50%. Almost 700,000 people in the United States died in 2020 due to causes directly or indirectly related to hypertension. The risks of developing the disease are approximately equal by gender and race; men are slightly more likely to suffer from this disease. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure (CDC, 2021). Despite the high risks, many adults do not control the course of the disease and are not seen by a doctor.
Intervention
Since the lifetime risks of developing hypertension are very high, a comprehensive intervention plan should be developed. Firstly, it is necessary to promote preventive measures for the development of arterial hypertension. To do this, lectures concerning the risks and free blood pressure tests should be offered. It is necessary to convey to the population that the disease is dangerous and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
The second criterion for intervention will relate to helping patients who have already consulted a doctor about their condition. Self-monitoring should be addressed by keeping a home blood pressure log to track disease progression. Finally, many risk factors are associated with an unhealthy lifestyle that triggers the disease. The third criterion concerns the overall health promotion program by demonstrating possible improvements after a lifestyle change.
Interprofessional Cooperation
Providing interprofessional care is crucial for reducing the cardiovascular complications associated with hypertension. Since hypertension is a chronic disease, this model of care is especially important. The effectiveness of the interprofessional approach is demonstrated in the study by Fury et al. (2018), which measured blood pressure in the experimental participants before and after the intervention. Twenty-two people participated in the test of the interprofessional model, and the average static pressure measured after the experiment showed a significant decrease.
A study by Lee et al. (2021) also demonstrates a positive association between interprofessional collaborative practice and improvement in patients with hypertension. Such positive results may be attributed to the complexity of the disease, which encompasses potential disorders in various body systems and the development of concomitant conditions. The attending cardiologist plays a leading role in an interprofessional approach to treating hypertension. The cardiologist prescribes a treatment plan, determines whether hospitalization is necessary, and selects the appropriate therapy (CDC, 2020).
However, other health professionals may be assigned roles in the team. The nurse’s role is to communicate information to the patient. The nurse is responsible for conducting tests on time, conveying to the patient the importance of self-diagnosis, and providing instructions on changing conditions. The nurse may be responsible for communicating with the patient’s family and must ensure that the treatment creates a psychologically comfortable environment for the patient.
The interprofessional team may include a nutritionist who will create a new nutrition plan for the patient and help them adapt to the changed lifestyle. Since accepting a chronic illness can be difficult, a psychologist can play a crucial role in a team of medical professionals. This specialist will help the patient accept their new status and convey the importance of following the rules that reduce the risk of disease progression.
Nurses from diverse backgrounds can form an interprofessional team to manage hypertension. The clinical nurse specialist is responsible for monitoring the patient’s hypertension condition, the timeliness of checks and tests, and reporting the results. A cardiac nurse who works with patients with cardiovascular disorders can collaborate with this specialist. The family nurse practitioner, who works with patients of all ages, can establish communication within the patient’s family environment, thereby justifying the importance of support and treatment. Home care registered nurses can monitor patients with hypertension at home, instructing them on self-care and the importance of tracking changes and visiting the clinic.
Conclusion
Hypertension is a dangerous disease with high risks of development and a threat to public health. The interprofessional approach has been proven effective for this condition. Studies have noted a positive trend in most cases with the intervention of a team of specialists (CDC, 2020). Disease prevention and risk reduction measures play a significant role, where nurses are especially important. The interprofessional team, in addition to the cardiologist, may include a clinical nurse, a home care nurse, a cardiac nurse, a nutritionist, and a psychologist.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). High Blood Pressure Facts. Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Promoting team-based care to improve high blood pressure control. Web.
Fury, S., Sparbel, K., & Tadda, B. (2018). Interprofessional collaboration with pharmacist-driven education for hypertension control in federally qualified health center patients. Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice, 11(1), 43-51. Web.
Kudzma, E. C., & Edelman, C. L. (2021). Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Lee, J. K., McCutcheon, L. R., Fazel, M. T., Cooley, J. H., & Slack, M. K. (2021). Assessment of interprofessional collaborative practices and outcomes in adults with diabetes and hypertension in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 4(2), 1-15. Web.
