Title : Hypertension management through health literacy and healthy behaviors
Abstract:
Hypertension (HTN) is the most diagnosed medical condition see in the outpatient setting in the United States. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are still millions of adults suffering from undiagnosed HTN. One of the most concerning factors associated with HTN is that often individuals are not aware they have HTN because of the lack of early warning signs, giving HTN the name, silent killer. HTN can affect every aspect of an individual’s life, including their ability to work. This project was developed to focus on steps of identification and treatment of HTN through knowledge and health literacy. Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions. Staff members from a school district in northeastern U.S. were asked to participate in a workplace wellness program to identify those at risk for developing HTN, cardiovascular disease, or identify those with undiagnosed HTN. Participants had their blood pressure taken and their My Life Check score calculated using an American Heart Association’s online questionnaire. Participants were provided with additional resources, educational materials, and time to ask questions throughout the program. At the completion of the 12-week implementation period, participants blood pressure and My Life Check scores were repeated and documented. Participants also determined if they were able to commit to one healthy behavior for the 12-week period. Fifty percent of participants were able to decrease their blood pressures and 41.6% were able to increase their My Life Check scores post implementation.
Audience Take Away:
- Participants will learn how to incorporate the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 program into an educational program as a workplace wellness program.
- Participants will learn how to incorporate the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Ask Me 3 to help participants increase their health literacy about certain aspects of their health to help reduce their blood pressure and decrease their risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Participants will learn about the strengths and opportunities, implications for nursing, and the recommendations for further implementation of workplace wellness programs.
