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Hypertension In Older Adults

Marilaura Mieres

Miami Regional University

Professor Mercedes

03/26/2021

Discuss the aspects of your chosen vulnerable population

Hypertension in older adults has prevalent aged between 60-79 years old and the elderly individuals aged 80 years and above. The condition is risky to these groups since it is the primary modifiable risk factor connected to cardiovascular diseases. In the research conducted by NHANES individuals categorized in this population aged between 65 years and above, 70% were the victims. The same analysis projected that the condition might continue to go if the situation will not be addressed appropriately. That is why WHO recommends Antihypertensive drug therapy for such patients since it is useful in reducing hypertension symptoms among older adults, including cardiovascular diseases.

Discuss the reason why is this group considered vulnerable

Firstly, it is fundamental for older individuals to comprehend what hypertension involves, and it is the force of blood pushing against the arteries walls. The physician conducts two tests for blood pressure, one of which applies systolic blood pressure triggered by the heart contracting and pushing out blood (Bosu et al., 2019). The second testis diastolic blood pressure, began when an individual's heart relaxes and fills with blood. All the two forms of blood pressure can cab be experienced by older people.

Older people are considered vulnerable to the disease because of their age and other factors discussed in this paper. Research conducted by Bosu et al. (2019) revealed that blood vessels naturally harden with age since they lose their elasticity. Similarly, the American College of Cardiology guidelines provided a different concept for hypertension, which is now defined as 130 and above for the initial number and 80 or higher for the second number. Other contributing factors include Gende r- the make Gender have a higher risk of being hypertensive before they are 55, and for female Gender, they can get high blood pressure after menopause. Other factors include family history , which runs in several families and races, where the older people of specific races get affected more quickly than the other race.

Discuss what are the most common infectious diseases in this population and why

Several infectious diseases affect older adults, like Bacterial pneumonia, elderly influenza, Tuberculosis, and Mumps. Older adults get bacteria pneumonia as affirmed by the study conducted by Bai et al. (2020) that more than 60% of the older are admitted annually for pneumonia this is due to the alterations in their lung capacity. As a result, exposing them to the risk of diseases in the community setting. It makes them be at risk for cardiovascular disorders like diabetes, among other severe diseases. They present symptoms like chills, cough, and fever, and the severe signs involve confusion and delirium. Most of them also get influenza due to exposure to cold.

 Discuss barriers to healthcare and access to care for your vulnerable population

The barriers linked to healthcare and access among the older has been on the rise and well-documented. One of the reasons is the Lack of health insurance for both employer-sponsored or public insurance. The factors connected with the insurance cover among the older people involve race, income, and other sociodemographic problems. These have all been the reasons why accessing quality care among these populations has been an issue (Bai et al., 2020). Nevertheless, other barriers include economic problems, stress, non-adherence to medications resulting from using traditional remedies. Even Lack of awareness concerning the condition, or community stigma, among other critical factors.

 Discuss how the issues this group is facing relates to the community/public health nursing

Many studies have confirmed public health nursing and the community, in general, contribute a lot to improper medical access for older people and other barriers. For the community and healthcare system. They contribute to the issue due to the Lack of educating the population concerning hypertension, its impact on their health, the symptoms, and the intervention methods. The community needs to come together and inform the people on the same, including the care providers of the patients. They can collaborate with the healthcare system and the government for effective interventions to curb the issue.

 Examine evidence-based practices that improve health outcomes of the vulnerable population

Evidence-based nursing practice has been one of the strategies that healthcare personnel has used to provide quality healthcare to their patients, which focuses on the needs of the individuals (Oliveros et al., 2020). This has been emphasized on improving the patient's lifestyle, which is significant in managing their condition. The disorders can be well managed with lifestyle enhancement and health promotion. So the older adults and their caregivers must comprehend the significance of consuming healthy meals and engaging in light exercises.

Use information technology to identify resources that will improve health outcomes of the vulnerable population

The application of a Home BP Monitor is recommended, and these people can benefit a lot since it can be conducted in the comfort of their homes. Other studies also suggest that Home BP monitoring is integrated with antihypertensive therapies and enhances BP control. A wristwatch is technologically capable of detecting the patient blood pressure levels, making it easy for patients to seek medical attention.

References

Bai, T., Fang, F., Li, F., Ren, Y., Hu, J., & Cao, J. (2020). Sarcopenia is associated with hypertension in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC geriatrics, 20(1), 1-9.

Bosu, W. K., Aheto, J. M. K., Zucchelli, E., & Reilly, S. T. (2019). Determinants of systemic hypertension in older adults in Africa: a systematic review. BMC cardiovascular disorders, 19(1), 1-24.

Bosu, W. K., Reilly, S. T., Aheto, J. M. K., & Zucchelli, E. (2019). Hypertension in older adults in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 14(4), e0214934.

Oliveros, E., Patel, H., Kyung, S., Fugar, S., Goldberg, A., Madan, N., & Williams, K. A. (2020). Hypertension in older adults: Assessment, management, and challenges. Clinical cardiology, 43(2), 99-107.

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