The Health Education Program Implemented by Nurses Can Improve Blood Pressure Control and Quality of Life in Hypertensive Patients?

Abstract

The relational strategies in group are to improve patient's BP (blood pressure) control and QoL (quality of life). Methods: Twenty-one hypertensive patients were randomized into two groups: group A (10 patients, age 67 ± 6 years, BMI (body mass index) 28.3 ± 6 kg/m 2) was applied relational strategies, with meetings every 15 days 8 meetings; group B (11 patients, age 58 ± 13 years, BMI 28.2 ± 3 kg/m 2) with meetings for group orientation every 40 days 3 meetings. The patients were monitored: at baseline (day 15) and at the end of the study (day 120), the BP was measured by auscultatory method and the QoL questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was applied, and was submitted to the examination with ABPM (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring). Results: after 120 days there was a greater (p < 0.05) reduction in SBP (systolic blood pressure) in group A (37.8 ± 25 mmHg) than in group B (18 ± 9 mmHg), but DBP (diastolic blood pressure) decreased similarly in both groups (A, 15 ± 21 vs B, 13 ± 14 mmHg); the HR (heart rate) reduction was larger (p < 0.05) in group A (60.6 ± 8.9 bpm) than in group B (69.7 ± 10.7 bpm). There was a more significant BMI decrease (p < 0.01) in group A (27.8 ± 5 kg/m 2) than in group B (28.9 ± 4 kg/m 2). The observed correlations between physical domain and nightime DBP (at day 120) in ABPM were r =-0.712 (negative correlation, p = 0.003); between psychological domain and SBP sleep time (at day 120) in ABPM were r =-0.527 (negative correlation, p = 0.044); between environmental domain and daytime Δ HR in ABPM were r =-0.573 (negative correlation, p = 0.007). Conclusion: the health education program conducted through interpersonal relationships within groups provided better control of SBP and greater reduction in BMI.