IDENTIFICATION OF RISK FACTORS IN ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION PATIENTS WITH PARTICIPATION OF A NURSE

Abstract

Arterial hypertension (AH) is the most frequent among cardiovascular diseases (CVD).About 31% of people suffer from it. The data of epidemiological studies indicate thatoccurrence of the disease is considerably caused by the level of modified and nonmodified risk factors (RF).Under conditions of reforms in the health care system of Ukraine implementation ofqualitatively new measures concerning AH prevention and activity to form a healthy lifestyle have become rather important. Management of a complicated behavior and life styleof AH patients requires experience and mutual efforts of various medical professionals.Professional competence of nurses enables to involve them in realization of up-to-datetechnologies in order to prevent diseases and strengthen health.Timely detection of RFs, elimination of their action, organization of patients’ education isone of the important tasks of nurses.Purpose of the study. To investigate the effect of modified risk factors on the developmentof arterial hypertension and determine the role of a nurse in the management of thedisease on the level of primary health care.Material and methods. 120 AH patients were involved into the study by means of a surveyincluding 43,3% of men and 56,7% of women aged from 23 to 79 (48,33±12,93). Theirarterial pressure was measured and risk factors were found. The results obtained wereprocessed by means of the common statistical methods using the packages of computersoftware STATISTICA V.6.0. The results of the study are presented in the number ofobservations, percentage, and accurate p value.Discussion. The period of arterial hypertension varied widely, though the majorityof patients (82%) suffered from it more than 10 years. The main part of patients – 73(60,83%) were afflicted with I degree of AH, 29 patients (24,17%) had II degree and 18individuals (15%) – III degree. The overweight patients and those with I – II degree ofobesity prevailed (81,67%). For example, 60 patients (50%) had android (abdominal)type of the adipose tissue distribution, which is indicative of metabolic disorders in thebody. All the patients were diagnosed to have moderate and high levels of psychosocialstress, which might be associated with an intensive and stressful life style. The majority ofpatients were characterized by a low (62,5%) and moderate (34,12%) levels of physicalactivity; and only 3,33% of them had sufficient level of physical activity. The surveyfound that 42 (35%) individuals smoked having a mixed type of smoking habits, moderate(40%) and mild (31%) degree of nicotine abuse. The majority of patients mentionedexcessive intake of salt, fats and cholesterol, disturbed dietary habits, insufficient intakeof vegetables and fruit.Conclusions. The amount of modified risk factors promoting development ofcardiovascular diseases increases in AH patients with age. Detection of RFs, educationof patients concerning their elimination is an integral part of nurse’s everyday work. Itwill promote improvement of life quality, prevention, optimization of a comprehensivetreatment and stabilization of arterial hypertension.