Healthy People 2020 is a government-sponsored, science-based program that provides 10 year objectives for improving the health of Americans.

Healthy People 2020 is a government-sponsored, science-based program that provides 10 year objectives for improving the health of Americans. Please refer to the following link specifically addressing heart disease and stroke:

http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/heart-disease-and-stroke

Read through the overview page, click on the tab labeled Objectives, and identify one objective aimed at reducing heart disease and stroke that relates to your previous or current nursing practice. Provide an example of how you can implement this objective directly into the care of your clients. Please provide a reference other than Healthy People 2020 to support your choice.

ANSWER

Reducing Heart Disease and Stroke: An Objective for Improved Nursing Practice

Introduction

 Heart disease and stroke continue to be significant public health concerns, causing substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. As a nurse, it is crucial to stay updated with government-sponsored initiatives like Healthy People 2020, which provide evidence-based objectives to improve the health of Americans. This essay aims to discuss one objective from the Healthy People 2020 program that relates to my nursing practice and provide an example of how I can implement it directly into the care of my clients. The objective selected for discussion is “Increase the proportion of adults with hypertension who are aware of their condition” from the Heart Disease and Stroke topic.

Objective Overview

 The objective “Increase the proportion of adults with hypertension who are aware of their condition” aligns with the goal of improving cardiovascular health and reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and often remains undiagnosed or poorly managed. This objective emphasizes the importance of early detection and awareness of hypertension, leading to appropriate interventions and improved outcomes.

Implementing the Objective

As a nurse, I can play a vital role in implementing this objective by incorporating various strategies into my nursing practice. One effective approach is through health education and promotion, empowering clients to understand and manage their blood pressure effectively. Here’s an example of how I can implement this objective directly into the care of my clients:

Conducting Blood Pressure Screening: Routine blood pressure screening should be an integral part of nursing practice, regardless of the client’s age or reason for seeking care. By assessing blood pressure during each encounter, nurses can identify individuals with undiagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension (American Heart Association., 2021)

. This step provides an opportunity to increase awareness among clients and initiate appropriate interventions promptly.

Providing Education on Blood Pressure Management: Once hypertension is identified, nurses can educate clients about the importance of blood pressure control, lifestyle modifications, and adherence to prescribed medications. This education should be tailored to individual needs and include information on the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, regular physical activity, weight management, stress reduction, and smoking cessation (Tam et al., 2020). Clear and concise educational materials, along with interactive discussions, can enhance clients’ understanding and empower them to actively participate in their care.

Promoting Self-Monitoring of Blood Pressure: Encouraging clients with hypertension to monitor their blood pressure at home using validated devices is another valuable strategy. Nurses can teach clients how to use these devices correctly and interpret the results. Regular self-monitoring enables clients to track their progress, understand the impact of lifestyle modifications or medications, and promptly report any concerning readings to their healthcare provider. This empowers clients to take an active role in managing their hypertension and promotes awareness of their condition.

Supporting Reference

 In addition to Healthy People 2020, the American Heart Association (AHA) provides comprehensive guidelines and resources for managing hypertension. The AHA’s “2021 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults” serves as an excellent reference for nurses seeking evidence-based information and recommendations (Vedanthan et al., 2020). This guideline offers detailed strategies for blood pressure assessment, lifestyle modifications, medication management, and patient education, which can further support the implementation of the chosen objective.

Conclusion

Reducing the prevalence and impact of heart disease and stroke requires a multifaceted approach, and the objective of increasing awareness of hypertension among adults aligns with this goal. As a nurse, I can contribute to achieving this objective by incorporating regular blood pressure screening, providing education on blood pressure management, and promoting self-monitoring of blood pressure. By implementing these strategies, I can empower my clients to take an active role in their cardiovascular health and contribute to the broader objective of reducing heart disease and stroke in our community.

Reference

 American Heart Association. (2021). 2021 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Retrieved from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000145

Tam, H. L., Wong, E. L., & Cheung, K. P. (2020). Effectiveness of Educational Interventions on Adherence to Lifestyle Modifications Among Hypertensive Patients: An Integrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7), 2513. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072513 

Vedanthan, R., Kumar, A., Kimaiyo, S., Chang, H. R., Raymond, S., Too, K., Tulienge, D., Wambui, C., Bagiella, E., Fuster, V., & Kimaiyo, S. (2020). Effect of Nurse-Based Management of Hypertension in Rural Western Kenya. Global Heart, 15(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.5334/gh.856