Nutrition and Diet Therapy is vital in the field of nursing profession.

This course deals

with the study of food in relation to health and illness. In addition to job of the nurse,
they also encourage healthy nutrition to patients to prevent disease, help them to
recover from sickness and surgery, and teaches them how to manage illness effectively
with smart dietary choices. Hypertension, most commonly known as High Blood
Pressure that is higher than the normal range, has emerged as a significant health
concern globally, affecting millions of individuals and leading to severe complications is
left unmanaged. According to WHO, an estimated 1.28 billion adults age 30 – 79 years
old worldwide have hypertension. Unestimated 46% of adults are unaware that they
have the condition. Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide.

On, October 11, 2023, a dedicated health teaching session was organized for
hypertensive patient at San Agustin, Iriga City. This session is aimed to empower
patients with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills necessary for managing
hypertension effectively. By fostering a deeper understanding of the condition and
emphasizing the significance of lifestyle modifications and medication adherence. In
that day, we discussed Hypertension or High Blood Pressure. The primary objective of
the session was to provide client with a comprehensive understanding of their condition,
its complications and practical strategies for maintaining blood pressure levels. The
health education session began with an instructive presentation on the principles of
hypertension, including its influence on cardiovascular health and the overall well-being
of the body. Participants were given a thorough explanation of blood pressure readings,
including normal ranges and the consequences of high readings. The discussion also
focused on potential risk factors for hypertension, such as poor diet, sedentary
lifestyles, and genetic predispositions. The importance of lifestyle changes in treating
hypertension was emphasized, with an emphasis on adopting a heart-healthy diet,
embracing regular physical activity, and using stress-reduction measures. Practical
demonstrations and interactive exercises were used to help participants get a better
knowledge of portion control, good eating habits, and the need of regular exercise in
maintaining optimal blood pressure levels.

We chose an elderly client for the reason that they are the most common client that has
hypertension. After asking for the consent, we started by stating our name, the school,
and our purpose on why we are conducting this health teaching. We introduced the
meaning, the signs and symptoms of hypertension. We also covered the necessity of
knowing who are at risk, how hypertension develops, and what causes it. We also
talked about how to control, manage hypertension, and to avoid the attack once the
blood pressure level is elevated. Subsequently, the session delivered into the critical
role of lifestyle modifications in hypertension management. Patient received practical
guidance on adapting a heart-healthy diet. We emphasized the importance of DASH
diet means Dietary Approached to Stop Hypertension ─ in this diet, it focuses on
reducing sodium and sugary intake, incorporate fruits and vegetables, and limit the
consumption of processed food and high-fat foods. Furthermore, we also discussed the
significance of regular physical activity to improve cardiovascular health like walking at
least 10 – 30 minutes three times a day. We also underscored the importance of
medication or the maintenance adherence and the potential side effects of
antihypertensive drugs. We also talked about the medication drug that it is free in the
barangay health center, city health office, or in the RHUs so that they will not spend
money over a free medication. Client was educated about the importance of following
the prescribed diet and medication regimens and to have a check up every time the can
or there are medical missions conducted by the municipality. After discussing all the
importance points of managing hypertension, we offer a free blood pressure taken. It is
also good to know, that the client’s family has their own digital blood pressure monitor.
Therefore, they can always check the blood pressure of the client and each family
members. After that, we offered a free snack and said thank you and appreciation for
accepting and willingly participate to our short health teaching session.