The Healthy People 2020 Essay

The Healthy People 2020 highlights areas of improvement for wellness and education to improve the health of individuals through the prevention of illness and disease leading to death. Screening, early detection and education on hypertension is essential to the prevention of early death and disability among individuals. Hypertension is a common underlying cause of disability and death related to cardiac disease, kidney disease and stroke and is identified as a modifiable risk factor (Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood & Coronel-Mockler, 2016).
As outlined by Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood and Coronel-Mockler (2016), it is essential to raise awareness for individuals regarding the need to control their blood pressure and to offer scientific evidence related

to the consequences of noncompliance. Individuals are often unaware of the risk associated with high blood pressure and those aware of the risk only relate it with heart disease and stroke. As presented by Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood and Coronel-Mockler (2016) other underlying diseases are associated with uncontrolled hypertension like cognitive decline leading to early onset of dementia. The National Institute of Health and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute are working to further educate and raise awareness to encourage individuals to be conscious of maintaining systolic blood pressures of less than 120 and to further promote self-maintenance through the implementation of tele-monitoring with collaboration of the client, a pharmacist and a primary provider to monitor and assist the individual in reaching the established blood pressure goals (Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood & Coronel-Mockler, 2016). Other efforts described include, implementation of awareness addressing the underserved populations, providing access to care and providing a standard plan of care for hypertension (Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood & Coronel-Mockler, 2016).
As presented by the webinar assisting individuals with hypertension awareness and control to prevent disability and morbidity offers opportunity for policy development. Through the development of research programs conducted by national institutes evidence-based practice is improving the treatment of hypertension and making health care more patient centered. This is integral in the policy development as well. Implementation of research projects to identify the underserved and to promote awareness and education through national campaigns and the implementation of telehealth offers individuals opportunity to participate more actively in their care beyond being educated only by providers and medical personnel (Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood & Coronel-Mockler, 2016). Other opportunity for policy development pertains to increasing the access to health care through both the development of clinics and other means like, telehealth (Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood & Coronel-Mockler, 2016). State and national development of programs to implement a standard approach to educating, treating and monitoring patients with hypertension may positively impact the way patients manage their own health (Wright, DeSalvo, Fleetwood & Coronel-Mockler, 2016).
The advanced practice nurse’s role in the management of individuals with hypertension would include, applying the most up to date evidence-based practice for assessing and monitoring each patient’s risk for hypertension and its comorbidities.

This would include, a history and physical exam of the individual to recognize risk factors of hypertension like, family history, obesity, a diet high in sodium and fat, and one’s level of physical activity (Gladding et al., 2015). The physical assessment would require careful attention to identifying signs of hypertension and coronary artery disease. It would also require the advance practice nurse to order labs to assess electrolytes and renal function along with clinical testing like an electrocardiogram to assess for cardiac issues secondary to hypertension (Gladding et al., 2016). Next, diagnosing and prescribing medications suitable for the individual and encouraging frequent assessment of their condition will be necessary. Finally, with the identification of issues beyond the elevated blood pressure, the advanced practice nurse must initiate interdisciplinary care and make referrals for cardiology or nephrology upon identification of complications related to hypertension (Gladding et al.,

2016).