Community Outreach Summary

According to studies, strategies for reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2-diabetes are not widely implemented despite well-publicized guidelines (Hawk, 2010). New studies provide evidence that community-nursing leadership is effective in helping patients manage these and other chronic conditions. Results of the community outreach programs demonstrate that interventions by nurse-led teams using individual treatment with blood pressure (BP) screenings improved not only the risk factor status of individual treatments regimens but patients’ perception of quality care they receive (Hawk, 2019).

 One important factor is to issue guidelines and advisories designed to increase awareness, prevention, treatment, and control hypertension through community screenings (Hawk, 2019). The World Health Organization reports that suboptimal BP (>115mmHg SBP) is responsible for 62% of cerebrovascular disease and 49% of ischemic heart disease, with little variation by sex. In addition, suboptimal blood pressure is the number one attributable risk for death throughout the world (Hawks, 2019). The American Heart Association (2019) explains your healthcare providers will want to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure and chart what happens over time.

Starting at age 20, the American Heart Association recommends a blood pressure screening at your regular healthcare visit or once every two years, if your blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. While BP can change minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress, or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg. About one in three (33.5%) U. S. adults ha