When hypertension is initially detected, nursing assessment involves carefully monitoring the blood pressure at frequent intervals and then, after diagnosis, at routinely scheduled intervals.

Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure consistently measures >130 mmHg systolic and >80 mmHg diastolic.

Today the roles of nurses and nurse practitioners (NPs) in hypertension management involve all aspects of care, including (1) detection, referral, and follow up; (2) diagnostics and medication management; (3) patient education, counseling, and skill building; (4) coordination of care; (5) clinic or office management; ( …

Nonpharmacologic therapy (weight loss, a low-sodium, high-potassium diet, limited alcohol consumption, and physical activity most days of the week) is now recommended for ALL with elevated blood pressure and Stage 1 and Stage 2 hypertension.

To help ensure accurate blood pressure monitoring at home:

1. Check your device’s accuracy.
2. Measure your blood pressure twice daily.
3. Don’t measure your blood pressure right after you wake up.
4. Avoid food, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol for 30 minutes before taking a measurement.
5. Sit quietly before and during monitoring.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when the force of the blood pushing on the blood vessel walls is too high. When someone has high blood pressure: The heart has to pump harder. The arteries (blood vessels that carry the blood away from the heart) are under greater strain as they carry blood.

Essential, primary, or idiopathic hypertension is defined as high BP in which secondary causes such as renovascular disease, renal failure, pheochromocytoma, aldosteronism, or other causes of secondary hypertension or mendelian forms (monogenic) are not present.