Using Evidence Based Practice (PICOT) in the Prevention of Hypertension

Using Evidence Based Practice (PICOT) in the Prevention of Hypertension

Introduction

Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is a characteristic cardiovascular condition considered to be a condition that is nutrimental-hygienic. Amongst the notable causes of hypertension includes increased calories intake, physical inactivity, uncontrolled intake of dietetic sodium, increased intake of alcohol and obesity. Nevertheless, the genetic causes of hypertension are still unknown even though studies have indicated the vulnerability of the synergies of the gene milieu that are influenced through the control of the various lifestyle choices. Other than the ancillary high blood pressure, hypertension’s origin remains unknown. Still, the prevalence rate of hypertension has been noted to be more pronounced amongst individuals aged between 20 years and 79 years. At present, hypertension is a key public health concern given the number of individuals who have been diagnosed with the conditions, as well as the changes in lifestyles of individuals throughout the globe. Though its diagnosis and subsequent control remains to be relatively simple, if left unchecked, hypertension may present a number of health challenges and grave complications including multiple organ failure, heart attack and stroke amongst others (Alexander, 2013). Owing to the above facts regarding hypertension, this paper has, therefore, been written with the objective of reviewing the various ways through which evidence based practices, particularly PICOT, can be used in the prevention of hypertension.

Evidence Based Practice (PICOT) in Prevention and Control of Hypertension

Amongst the widely used evidence based practice models in the prevention, diagnosis and control of various conditions is the PICOT model. The model is employed in the formulation of research question on the basis of a limited number of parameters that are essential for the answering of the research questions. When aptly used, the PICOT model can lead to successful prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of hypertension. For instance, to effectively prevent, diagnose, and control hypertension, the use of PICOT model enables one to ask a number of relevant questions so as to arrive at the appropriate answers. For instance, one may ask questions relating to the effects of regular exercise on hypertension, particularly amongst patients with hypertension and those without the condition (Kavey, 2011).  Being physically inactive has been linked to high blood pressure. Thus, increasing an individual’s rate of physical activity is prone to reduce high blood pressure. As such, patients are advised to be physically active so as to reduce their blood pressure. Nevertheless, exercising might cause an increment in the blood pressure before it reduces.  Most individuals suffering from hypertension are required to develop the disposition to increase their physical activity rates cautiously. Nevertheless, in instances where the patient’s blood pressure is relatively high, it may instead be lowered using medication before one is enrolled into an exercise strategy. The second question may be on the best kind of treatment of individuals suffering from hypertension but having diverse medical needs.

The third question might be on the effects of BMI on the risk of hypertension development. Obesity may be effectively described using the 25.0 kg/m2 body mass index (BMI) (MacGregor & Kaplan, 2016). Thus, a BMI that is higher than 25 tends to be conceded as the main risk component for the death, metabolic conditions including dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and hypertension, as well as cardiovascular disease (CVDs). In addition, obesity at 20 years tends to be an additional risk element with regards to the augmentation of hypertension during the middle age. Discreetly increment in BMI at a young age is an additional risk factor with regards to the imminent hypertension.

On the other hand, the fourth question would be on there are increased chances of women experiencing preeclampsia during episodes of hypertension especially amongst women with gestational hypertension at a higher chance of getting preeclampsia when hypertension occurs during pregnancy (Deak, & Moskovitz, 2012). The pregnancy-induced hypertension mainly occurs following the development of hypertension after the 20^th week of gestation (Deak, & Moskovitz, 2012).  Furthermore, the patient might not exhibit the presence of proteins in urine and other vital signs of preeclampsia (Riva et al. 2012). Being a severe condition, preeclampsia entails women developing hypertension after 20 weeks of pregnancy, leading to kidney and liver malfunctions, eyesight changes and headaches. In such instances, hypertension is perceived to be a fatal condition to the pregnant women.

Finally, the last question would be on the risks associated with the individuals suffering from diabetes and hypertension and are aged above 50 years. The occurrence of hypertension and diabetes may be deadly as they may increase the likelihood of a stroke or acute myocardial infarction. Having the two conditions at the same time also increases the probability of kidney conditions and complications related to the eyes blood vessels that lead to blindness (Kavey, 2011).

So as to attain the right answers, the analysis of the problem is based on three key parameters, namely; the occurrence level of the matter stated in the questions; the level and difficulty of the study required to effectively handle the items in a precise manner, and the strength of the extant correlation between other conditions and hypertension as stated in the question. As such, one can note that the PICOT model enables the use of variables that are vital to the questions, and may be classified as either independent or dependent variables. For instance, in the first question. For instance, in the first question, the dependent variable is considered to be the blood pressure while the independent variable is regular physical exercise. In the second question, while the dependent variable regards the drug regimen that is being used in controlling hypertension, the independent variable mainly entails the option between the spironolactone or beta blocker addition. Still, for the third question, the dependent variable is the age while the independent variable is the body mass index. For the fourth question, while the dependent variable is preeclampsia, the independent variable is the occurrence of the gestational hypertension during pregnancy. Lastly, the dependent variable for the fifth question is age while the independent variable is the observed occurrence of diabetes and hypertension in a patient.           Further, the utilization of various key words including hypertension, associated conditions, Body Mass Index (BMI), pregnancy, diabetes, gestational hypertension, old age, spironolactone and beta blockers are meant to make the research process easy. Thus, their use is intended to make the research process easy. As such, the key words may be employed effectively in researching and finding the apt answers to the PICOT model questions regarding hypertension. According to MacGregor and Kaplan (2016), hypertension is a highly prevalent and widespread condition amongst adults and, therefore, requires handling with the greatest precisions and urgency not just in terms of treatment but additional with regards to research.

Conclusion

In summary, the importance of evidence based practice in relation to the prevention, treatment and control of hypertension cannot be understated. Given the faster increase in the number of individuals suffering from hypertension, the condition has turned out to be a key public health concerns in nearly all countries throughout the globe. However, as an integral part of the evidence based practice, the use of PICOT model assists in not only the diagnosis of hypertension but also the development apt measures for the prevention of the conditions amongst the affected persons. Moreover, the PICOT model enables one to ask pertinent questions related to the conditions being reviewed through formulation of the apt research questions based on a restricted amount of parameters that are vital for responding to the research queries. Tge research questions enables the clinician or nurse to have a clear view of the causative agents of hypertension and, therefore, recommend the best control measures that should be taken by the patient, as well as the apt measures to be taken by individuals with higher chances of suffering from the condition.

References

Alexander, S. A. (2013). Evidence-based nursing care for stroke and neurovascular conditions. Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell.

Deak, T. M., & Moskovitz, J. B. (2012). Hypertension and Pregnancy. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, 30(4), 903-917.

Kavey, R.-E. W. (2011). Hypertension and Exercise. Journal of Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases. (112)11, p473-484. DOI: http://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-824-9_26.

MacGregor, G., & Kaplan, N. M. (2016). Hypertension. Science Direct:Evidence base Cardiovascular Medicine,  8(1):112-113. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Riva, John J., Malik, Keshena M.P., Burnie, Stephen J., Endicott, Andrea R., & Busse, Jason W. (2012). What is your research question? An introduction to the PICOT format for     clinicians. Canadian Chiropractic Association