Hypertension in Older Patients
Develop a PowerPoint presentation on a clinical case that was seen during your clinical experience as a nurse practitioner student or a topic that is of interest to you, relating to gerontology (patients 65 years and older).
- Select a health problem that primarily affect the older adult population. Suggested Topics: Anemia of Chronic Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Restless Legs Syndrome, or Hypertension.
- Provide information about the incidence, prevalence, and pathophysiology of the disease/disorder to the cellular level.
- Educate advanced practice nurses on assessment and care/treatment, including genetics/genomics—specific for this disorder.
- Provide patient education for management, cultural, and spiritual considerations for care must also be addressed.
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Hypertension in Older Patients
Submission Instructions:
- Presentation is original work and logically organized. Followed current APA format including citation of references.
- Power point presentation with 10-15 slides were clear and easy to read.
- Speaker notes expanded upon and clarified content on the slides.
- Incorporate a minimum of 4 current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work. Journal articles and books should be referenced according to APA style (the library has a copy of the APA Manual).
Overview of the Topic
Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among older adults, affecting nearly 70% of individuals aged 65 and older in the United States (Whelton et al., 2018). The aging process contributes significantly to vascular stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and altered baroreceptor response—factors that increase systolic blood pressure. At the cellular level, age-related changes in calcium signaling, oxidative stress, and inflammation promote arterial stiffness and increased peripheral resistance, leading to persistent hypertension.
Clinical Relevance for Advanced Practice Nurses
For advanced practice nurses (APNs), accurate assessment and management of hypertension in geriatric populations is essential. Proper blood pressure measurement techniques, evaluation for orthostatic hypotension, and individualized risk stratification must be considered. Treatment includes both pharmacologic approaches—such as thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and ACE inhibitors—and lifestyle interventions. Genetic factors, including polymorphisms in genes like AGT and ACE, may influence drug responsiveness and susceptibility to hypertension (Ji et al., 2021).
Patient Education and Cultural Considerations
Patient education should focus on dietary modifications (e.g., DASH diet), medication adherence, physical activity, and home BP monitoring. Culturally sensitive care should respect dietary preferences, traditional health beliefs, and spiritual values. For instance, involving family in care planning or aligning health education with faith-based perspectives can enhance compliance and trust.
