The role of health promotion behavior in controlling anxiety and stress in patients with hypertension

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the most important chronic diseases worldwide. In most cases the real cause of hypertension is not clear but recent studies have shown that unhealthy lifestyle may lead to stress, anxiety and hypertension. METHODS: In this study we reviewed the published articles in scientific database including ISI web of knowledge, Medline, PubMed, and Elsevier. The articles about healthy lifestyle, stress and anxiety in patients with hypertension was extracted. RESULTS: Hypertension was the major risk factor for developing cardiovascular and renal disease. In most cases the real cause of hypertension was not clear but recent studies have shown that unhealthy lifestyle may lead to stress, anxiety, and hypertension. Lifestyle factors were critical determinants of blood pressure levels operating against a background of genetic susceptibility. An improving healthy lifestyle behavior was important in improving health and a multidimensional pattern was found. Not all strategies would be effective for every individual, but to some extent all patients being treated for hypertension should incorporate elements of therapeutic lifestyle changes into their treatment regimen. Healthcare providers play an important role in teaching individuals with hypertension on health promotion program and healthy lifestyles. Not only healthcare providers’ advices are integral to controlling hypertension, but also patients should follow those advices. Special attention must be paid to intervention programs aimed at modifying lifestyle and providing education on stress management techniques. Non pharmacologic interventions include methods to modify lifestyle and reduce or cope with stress and anxiety such as: stress management intervention (SMI), dietary sodium reduction, and weight reduction, supplement regimens utilizing calcium, magnesium, fish oil, and potassium. CONCLUSION: Several studies in the context of chronic disease like hypertension had shown that increasing individual’s self-efficacy in order to modify lifestyle has an important role to improve or control their disease. Education is the key component of increasing self-efficacy in patients with hypertension and in nursing service prides itself on a holistic approach to healthcare that includes disease prevention and health promotion.