Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a complex, chronic medical condition where blood pressure is consistently above the normal range.
Patients usually have no symptoms, which can lead to delays in detection and treatment and to serious complications.
This has also led to hypertension being dubbed the ‘silent killer’.
In 2012-13, 6 million Australian adults (34%) had hypertension, defined as a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or more, or were taking antihypertensive medication.
Of these, more than 4.1 million (68%)had uncontrolled or untreated hypertension.
It is estimated that at least 25% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have untreated or uncontrolled hypertension.
This module focuses on the nurse’s role in the management of hypertension in adults.
Nurses have a crucial role in identifying and monitoring hypertension, and in supporting patients to manage the condition.
At the end of this module participants will be able to:
