Introduction to hypertension treatment options
Before you begin, have you completed:
Introduction to hypertension treatment options
Well-managed hypertension has significant benefits to people, as well as to the wider health system. A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis found that for every 10mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure, there was a significant reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular disease (17 per cent), stroke (27 per cent), heart failure (28 per cent) and all-cause mortality (13 per cent).
In hypertension management, there are two key strategies: pharmacological and non-pharmacological. It is important to remember that treatment options also include no active treatment (watchful waiting), which increases a person’s cardiovascular risk.
If a person has the capacity to make decisions, has been provided with information on the risks and benefits of the available options and a shared decision has been made, summary details of the discussion and the decision should be recorded in the relevant medical notes.
Exploring people’s health beliefs and providing them with information on the risks and benefits of the options for treatment will support the shared decision making process. When you are holding discussions, taking a non-judgemental approach will allow people to feel supported to make their own decisions.
We will explore pharmacological treatment options in next month’s module. But let’s take a look at lifestyle interventions now.