Increasing Control of Hypertension in Adults: Education on Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitor Use

[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] Northeast Valley Health Corporation provides an abundance of primary healthcare services to the underserved population of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valley. The health education department provides culturally appropriate education to prevent or manage chronic diseases. This project will contribute to the chronic disease management and health education services provided by the organization. Hypertension is a major public health issue as uncontrolled hypertension can lead to complications such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. High blood pressure is a contributing factor of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Within Northeast Valley Health Corporation, the blood pressure self-management program promotes healthy lifestyle changes, however, self-measured blood pressure monitor use is a missing component even though it has shown to be effective in controlling hypertension. Therefore, this graduate project proposes a module for patients with uncontrolled hypertension to learn how to properly use a home blood pressure monitor provided by the clinic or their health insurance. The health educators will provide instruction on proper monitor use and educate on blood pressure reading measures. The goal of the program is to increase hypertension control by improving self-monitoring adherence. The objectives are to increase knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-monitoring of blood pressure to achieve hypertension control. The evaluation consists of a single-group, pre-post design with a baseline interview and follow-up interview at the end of the module. The follow-up interview will also assess acceptability and satisfaction. This intervention is innovative because it will educate patients to properly use a blood pressure monitor to improve the quality and outcome of hypertension management. In result, the strategy hopes to increase hypertension control in patients who receive services at Northeast Valley Health Corporation.