As the seriousness of hypertension in adults is increasingly recognized, attention is being focussed on its control through continuous health supervisions. Complications arising from high blood pressure exceed those of many other adult health problems and affect the nursing needs of these patients. In order to contribute to effective nursing care planning and improved health supervision, 248 medical records of hypertensive patients admitted to Internal Medicine at Ewha Medical Center from January 1971 to August 1976 were examined.
Results were as follows:
1. The sample group averaged 5.0´% of the total number of patients admitted to internal medicine during the period studied.
The proportion increased slightly with each successive year.
2. Patients with hypertension averaged 31.4% of all patients with cardiovascular discease. This proportion was stable over the period.
3. Hypertensive patients were primarily in their 40s. The average age was 55. 1 years.
4. Women were most frequently affected in their 60s and men in their 40s.
5. The bloo pressure of those in their 30s was not well controlled on discharge. Rates for those in their 30s averaged 151.5/107mmhg, for those in their 40s 161.5/110mmhg, and for those in their 60s 169/100mmhg.
6. Complications increased with each age range from the 40s to the 60s for both men and women.
7. Complications related to systolic hypertension occurred most frequently when the rate exceeded 200mmhg. Cerebral vascular accident was the primary complication, presenting implications for nursing intervention.
8. Complications related to diastolic hypertension occurred most frequently when the rate was in the 110129mmhg range. C.V.A. again was the primary complication needing nursing care planning.
9. Diets ordered for patients were low salt 79. %, salt free 4.19%, diabetic 6. 1%, and protein free ("no protein") 2.0961. Caloric, salt and protein levels were not defined.
Recommendations based on the findings were directed to diet and other therapies.
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