Knowledge of nonpharmacological treatments for hypertension and blood pressure control in hypertensive older adults

Approximately 50 million adults in the United States either have elevated blood pressure or are taking antihypertensive medications. Unfortunately only 21% of hypertensive patients are being properly treated in the United States. After reviewing the literature the researcher found no studies that compare knowledge level of nonpharmacological treatments of hypertension and actual blood pressures in older adults.

The propose of the research was to assess the relationship between knowledge level about nonpharmacological treatments for hypertension and blood pressure control in older hypertensive adults. Knowledge of nonpharmacological treatments of hypertension was evaluated with the use of a survey. After the subjects completed the survey the researcher measured their blood pressures with a sphygmomanometer. Mean blood pressures were calculated for all the various knowledge levels. The Pearson r test was utilized to test for a correlation between knowledge level of nonpharmacological treatments of hypertension and blood pressure in the subjects.

The targeted convenience sample was approximately 34 middle aged adults ages 45 years and older that can read English. The setting was in the lobby of a northwest Pennsylvania pharmacy. The subjects were responding to a free blood pressure screening and were asked to participate in the study.

The research hypothesis was that persons with an increased knowledge level of nonpharmacological treatments of hypertension will have lower blood pressures. The study found a negative correlation between blood pressure and nonpharmacological treatments of hypertension, but they were not found to be statistically significant.