The Relationship between Older Adults Living with Hypertension - Thesis Example

Relationship between Older Adults living with Hypertension Name Institution Relationship between Older Adults living with Hypertension 1.0 Abstract This study comes as a result of an observation made on the relationship between hypertension and older adults in the society. The study looks into the close relationship that exist in the prevalence of hypertension and age, where older adults are found to suffer more from hypertension as compared to younger adults. Out of an estimated 73 million adults in the US who suffer from hypertension, the majority of the victims have been found to be older adults; for older adults have lower rates of blood pressure control many times as a result of non-adherence to prescribed treatment. This study will look into the issues of hypertension as it expands into the older adults in the society. This study is a research into hypertension rising trends among the older adults in the society. It has been established that most of the hypertension patients are the older adults in the society. The problem of reduced ability among the older people in the society to control blood pressure results from their inability to adhere to the prescribed treatment. This has led many of the older adults in the society to experience fatal hypertension related complications including; stroke, and heart failure. In this context, minimizing the hypertension illness have become a primary goal for dealing with the older adults diagnosed with this problem. This happens as non-adherence to medical treatment among the older adults is said to be a significant contribution to growth of hypertension in this group of people. Thesis Statement Out of an estimated 73 million adults in the US who suffer from hypertension, the majority of the victims have been found to be older adults; for older adults have lower rates of blood pressure control many times as a result of non-adherence to prescribed treatment. 2.0 Introduction This literature review will examine the recent empirical research into the relationship between older adults living with hypertension. Hypertension, which is also identified as high blood pressure relates to the tension in the inside of the arteries to keep the blood flowing. Hypertension has become a major communal health problem, especially among the older adults in the society. This problem has not been given the due address as it ought to be in the current times when many of the older people in the society are suffering from hypertension, and related problems. There is a need for further investigation into the problem of rising trends of hypertension among the older adults in the society, and the possible ways to avert the continuation of this trend. Hypertension is considered as a serious communal problem for the fact that most of the older adults who are victims of hypertension are often abandoned, and under-treated. Among the many diseases affecting the older people in the society, hypertension has been rated as the top ‘silent killer.' This challenge is because when hypertension among the older in the society is not treated in time, it may lead to further chronic diseases, such as, kidney, stroke, and heart disease. It is important to address these issues, to consider that hypertension risk increases with an increase in age. This statement implies that additional research is needed on the challenge of the older adults in the society in dealing with hypertension. A major concern regarding the older adult and hypertension is the issue of adherence to taking the regular anti-hypertensive medications. This review will examine at the barriers that have led into this challenge of non-adherence. This challenge is also related to other issues, such as, the alleged adverse effects of complementary and alternative medicine on anti-hypertensive medication adherence. Other issues, such as, the link between depressions with anti-hypertension medication adherence also have an impact on adherence among older adults suffering from hypertension. This study will look into the trends of hypertension among older adults, need to address the problem, the treatment of hypertension, and the benefits of treating the problem (Michael et al., 2010). 3.0 Literature Review Scott (2004) analyzes the problem of hypertension among the older adults by asserting that the current trends are worrying. They argue on the need for healthcare stakeholders to begin developing specific programs targeting the elderly adult victims of hypertension. Scott (2004) analyzes the finding from a 1999 study on hypertension prevalence among the old adults. The research findings captured through a publication from the University of York NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination quoted that over 50% of older people as being hypertensive in 1999. This context leads to the need for the development of new strategies to encourage the treatment of hypertension among the old adults. Other authors have also argued that over 70% of the hypertension victims are older members of the society. This context brings out the need for proactive steps to be undertaken in reference to this new trend of hypertension among the older members of the society (Scott, 2004). Hypertension is one of the leading killers in the developed societies, through other related illnesses that it causes on the victims. Whelton (2000) explains on the need for individuals to begin understanding clinical manifestations as a key element in the management of hypertension among the elderly members of the society. The main argument that has been put in place is that the previous treatment of high blood pressure has been focused on the reducing the burden of disease among the victims (Whelton, 2000). Whelton (2000) conduct an epidemiological study on hypotension by identifying the distribution and determinants of high blood pressure in the general population. He identifies that the hypertension risks increase with the growth in age as older adults are found to suffer from this problem, as compared to the young adults. They also establish that high blood pressure among the older adults increases the risk levels of the older people to contract cardio renal complications. Whelton (2000) proposes the need for increased investment in developing new treatment programs for the older people suffering from hypertension (Whelton, 2000). Moreno & Carol (2011) support a counseling approach to addressing the problem of hypertension among the older adults in the society. They conduct a study on the role of e-counseling in lowering the blood pressure trends among the trends. Moreno & Carol (2011) argues that most of the hypertension problems that people suffer often psychological problems that were not addressed on time. Stress has been found significantly to contribute to high blood pressure in the society to high blood pressure in the society, and this may need counseling to be done to prevent the situation from taking place. This approach is a preventive approach to the problem of hypertension in the society, and may work best in dealing with the future statistics of the older adults suffering from this disease. From the study, one may draw a conclusion on the need to prevent as opposed to treatment of the many victims of hypertension in the society (Moreno & Carol, 2011). Peter Lloyd, S. & Beard, J. et al. (2013) look at the problem of hypertension among older adults, through the socioecon0mic lenses. The study investigates the prevalence of hypertension among the older people in the society. The study used data from WHO study on global ageing and patterns of hypertension prevalence, treatment and control for people aged 50 years in various countries including; China, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Ghana, India, and Mexico. The findings of the study revealed that the prevalence of hypertension in developed countries was comparable.. It was also found that hypertension was highly associated with obesity and overweight individuals, especially among women. The levels of awareness on hypertension were low in all the countries where the study was conducted. The study also found the high potential for effective treatment of hypertension among the older people in the richest quintile. Thus, there is a need for more investment in treatment programs for the older adult victims from poor backgrounds (Peter Lloyd & Beard, J. et al., 2013). Lima & Furtado (2006) conducts a study on the behaviors among the older adults with hypertension, leading to a rise in the prevalence of hypertension among the older adults. In this study, they identify that, as adults age, they begin to take on slow and reluctant behaviors towards adherence to treatment for hypertension. The development of this behavior has been found to led to increased prevalence of hypertension among the older adults in the society. This situation has been a challenge in the management of treatment of hypertension among the old adults. From the study, it is apparent that there is a need for increased education on the need for the older adults suffering from this disease to adhere to the treatment procedures (Lima & Furtado, 2006). In examining the demographic breakdown of the older adults suffering from hypertension, Bridget & Jeremy (2011) engage in a study to establish the distribution of the disease among older adults according to gender, and race/ethnic factors. The study’s findings establish that there exists gender, and racial/Ethnic disparities in hypertension among the older adults who have been affected by the disease. The study that was based on then 2007-2008 NHANES study explained the trends diagnosis of hypertension among adults aged 65+ differs by race/ethnicity for men and women. This disparity will be brought about by the differences in the social risk factors, especially the social support (Bridget & Jeremy, 2011). The findings indicated that high levels of hypertension among black seniors, and older women as compared to the Mexican-American men, and lower among whites. This disparity reflects the role of affordability, and education on the prevalence of hypertension, where the whites are better placed to access treatment as compared to the blacks (Elliott, 2007). John & Muliyil, J. et al. (2010) explain that older adults continue to suffer from hypertension, unless proactive measures are undertaken to reverse this problem. They conduct a study on the prevalence of hypertension in the Indian context, and establish that one of the contributing factors to the spread of the disease is a lack of knowledge among the victims of the same. The study found that only 75/286 (25%) of those detected to be hypertensive knew their status prior to the study, meaning that there is a need for increased awareness on the disease among the older adults, through a screening process. The study recommended that screening for hypertension among the older adults is the best remedy in dealing with the rising numbers of older adults who are suffering from hypertension (John & Muliyil et al., 2010). This trend is also observed by White, Avendaño & Capistrant (2012) in their study that focused on finding out on the prevalence of hypertension among older adults (Older US- and Foreign-Born Adults). The study uses the data from the 2006 and 2008 Health and Retirement Study (n = 13,451). This study had found that hypertension sensitivity was high among older blacks (88.9%), whites (82.8%), and Hispanics (84.0%), The study also found that, despite the potential vulnerability of older foreign-born Americans, a significant portion of the local older adults may be suffering from this disease. The conclusion arrived at is the need for a speedy approach to controlling the spread of hypertension among the older adults across the racial groups (Avendaño & Capistrant, 2012). In addition, Kaplana, S. et al. (2010) explain that the American problem of hypertension among older adults is also shared in other countries, such as, Canada. The study compared the prevalence of hypertension among the older adults in Canada and the US. The study also went further to examine the relationship between the prevalences of hypertension among the older adults with their socioeconomic conditions. The study used data from the 2002-2003 joint Canada/US survey of health that involved 755 Canadian and 1151 American adults of aged 65+. The study found almost a similar aggregate hypertension prevalence rates in both countries at (53.8% Canada versus 48.0% US). It also found a significant inverse linear relationship between household income, and the prevalence rate in the US. This challenge may be further linked to medical treatment adherence among the older adults, where low income levels will reduce adherence to treatment, due to the issue of costs (Kaplana et al. (2010). Rigaud & Forette (2001) acknowledges the problem of hypertension among the older adults in the society, as a problem. They get to explain the need for increased priority for physicians to take responsibility on the challenge of hypertension among older people in the society. Rigaud & Forette (2001) explains the need for health care experts to deal with the challenge of hypertension among the population aged older than 65 years, especially the physicians who can play a key role in dealing with the hypertension problem (Rigaud & Forette, 2001). This view is also shared by Michael (2012), who argues that there exist a number of limitations that make it difficult for older partners to adhere to treatment, leading to increased prevalence of hypertension in this group of people (Michael, 2012). This context leads to a greater challenge for healthcare practitioners to develop treatment programs that will suit the challenges facing the older adults in society. Aronow (2009) explains that the treatment among the older adults in the society should begin as early as one is diagnosed with the disease. He conducts a study on the efficacy of antihypertensive drug treatment in older adults suffering from hypertension. The findings of the study reveal that this treatment method has a high level of effectiveness in the treatment of hypertension, by the virtue that it has been proven through various studies that antihypertensive drug treatment reduces cardiovascular events in elderly adults. However, efforts on prevention should also not be ignored, where support factors, such as, lifestyle of the older adults should be checked. Indeed, Lisa & Barbara (2010) acknowledge the importance of taking on preventive programs, such as, promoting change in lifestyle among adult populations (Aronow, 2009). Welch (2003) expands his study into the cases of hypertension among the older adults in the UK. Welch (2003) acknowledges that just like the United States, the older adults in the UK also suffer from this problem. He argues that there exists a common trend of hypertension among the older adults, due to lifestyle challenges (Welch, 2003). As viewed earlier, hypertension among the older adults is a behavioral problem, and this is linked to lifestyle. Most of the adults in their old age tend to relax in exercises, and diet, something that greatly contributes to hypertension in this group of people. Evidently, there is a need for increased advocacy for addressing the problems of high prevalence of hypertension among the older adults in the society (Welch, 2003). 4.0 Conclusion In conclusion, the study has made it clear on the rising trends older adults in society who are suffering from hypertension problem in the society. The study has brought out a number of factors that have played a central role towards the rising numbers of older adults in society who are suffering from hypertension. The problem of hypertension has been a challenge among the older adults in most of the developed world due to the challenge of adherence to treatment among the older adults in the society. It is apparent that, as people age, they reduce their ability of adherence to treatment of hypertension, and this problem finally often leads to increased cases of hypertension affecting this group of people. In addition, this study has also made clear non-adherence to treatment, lifestyle challenges, and behavior challenges among the older adults have affected the youths. It is apparent that most of the older adults in the US suffer from hypertension, because of lack of will to adhere to treatment. The study brings out clear that lifestyle challenges have also affected the older adults, for, as one advances in age, they tend to take on a relaxed lifestyle that makes it difficult for them to undertake exercises, and be keen in the nature of the diet offered to the people. This type of lifestyle affects the condition for many of the older adults by leading to the growth of hypertensive behaviors among the people. Conclusively, the study leads to the conclusion that there is a need for specific approaches to be undertaken to deal with the problem of hypertension among the older adults in the society. It is clear that there is a need for more proactive efforts to be undertaken to protect this trends, which makes the future of the elderly adult victims of hypertension to be bleak. There is a need to0 develop better treatment programs for the older adults, as well as, promoting educational awareness among the older adults on the need to keep fit, and keep off from hypertension. 5.0 References Bridget, G. & Jeremy R. (2011). Social Networks and Support, Gender, and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Hypertension Among Older Adults, Population Research and Policy Review, Vol. 30, Issue 6, p. 885-911. Elliott, D. (2007). Hypertension: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease. London: Elsevier Health Sciences. Moreno, Gerardo & Mangione, Carol M. (2011). Study links e-counselling with lower blood pressure. Therapy Today, Vol. 22, Issue 9, p. 45-92. Lima, C. & Furtado, L. (2006). Health behaviors among older adults with hypertension, Revista de saúde pública, Vol. 43, Issue 12, p. 44-89. John, J. & Muliyil, J. et al. (2010). Screening for hypertension among older adults: A primary care "High Risk" approach, Indian Journal of Community Medicine, Vol. 35, Issue 1, p. 67-69. Kaplana, S. et al (2010). Self-reported hypertension prevalence and income among older adults in Canada and the United States, Social Science & Medicine, Volume 70, Issue 6, p. 844–849. Lisa M. & Barbara J. ( ). Determinants of perceived health in older adults with hypertension, The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, Volume 39, Issue 1, January–February 2010, Pages 41–49. Michael B. et al. (2010). Hypertension, Primary Care Reports (Dec 2010), Vol. 2, Issue 3, p. 45-67. Michael W. (2012). Hypertension in Older Adults: Progress and Limitations, The American Journal of Medicin, Volume 125, Issue 10, p. 949–950. Peter Lloyd, S. & Beard, J. et al. (2013). Hypertension among older adults in low- and middle-income countries: prevalence, awareness and control, International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 43, Issue 1, p. 116-128. Rigaud, A. & Forette, B. (2001). Hypertension in older adults, The Journals of Gerontology, Vol. 56, Issue 4, p. 217-25. Scott, Andrew K. (2004). Hypertension in older adults, Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, Issue 14, Issue 3, p. 189-198. Welch, E. (2003). Hypertension, Nursing Standard, Vol. 18, Issue 13, Vol. 16, Issue 1, p. 45-53. Whelton, P. (2000). Epidemiology of hypertension, The Lancet, Vol. 344, Issue 1, p. 101-6. White, K., Avendaño, M. & Capistrant, B. (2012). Self-Reported and Measured Hypertension Among Older US- and Foreign-Born Adults, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, Vol. 14, Issue 4, p. 721-6. Read More