Nurse-Led Blood Pressure Treatment in Primary Health Care: An Intervention Study Comparing Two Regimens

Background Current treatment of hypertension in general practice is often inadequate, despite clinical guidelines. Objective The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate a district nurse-led extended health-care regimen to improve blood measure treatment. This included scheduled appointments with the district nurse and physician, a documentation of risk factors, an offer of assistance with supportive health measures, an established individual blood pressure goal and the provision of a personal blood pressure card as means of informing and motivating the patients. Method This was a pretest-post-test control group study comprised 200 patients with systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure over 140/90 divided into an intervention group and a control group. Blood pressure, weight, waistline measurement, nicotine and drug use were registered before and after a six month period of intervention. Results A significant reduction of blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, was observed in both groups after the intervention period. Weight and waistline measurement were reduced as well. However, no statistically significant difference was found between groups. Conclusions Extended health care, in the form tested, provided no additional blood pressure lowering effect compared with the health care ordinarily provided. To improve blood pressure management a nurse-led follow-up of the treatment given should be prioritized.