High Blood Pressure In The Elderly Population Of Miami, FL

High Blood Pressure in the Elderly Population of Miami, Florida

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a significant health issue for the elderly in Miami, Florida. According to Oliveros et al. (2020), almost 70% of adults aged 65 years and older are hypertensive, making it a very prevalent health issue in this older age group. Now in Miami, with a heavy elderly population due to the city's popularity as a retirement haven, hypertension causes huge risks such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. This health promotion program aims to reduce risks by improving the elderly population's ability in Miami to manage their high blood pressure through evidence-based, realistic, and measurable interventions on lifestyle modifications and regular monitoring to reduce the incidence and complications of hypertension.

Paper For Above instruction

High blood pressure (hypertension) presents a significant public health challenge among the elderly in Miami, Florida. Its high prevalence in this demographic is closely linked with age-related physiological changes, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic determinants. Given Miami's status as a popular retirement destination, the need for targeted interventions to manage hypertension effectively in the elderly population becomes urgent. This paper discusses a comprehensive health promotion program centered on self-management strategies, guided by evidence-based research and theoretical frameworks like the Health Belief Model (HBM).

The prevalence of hypertension among older adults ranges globally but is notably high in Miami due to its demographic profile. Oliveros et al. (2020) underscore that nearly 70% of adults aged 65 and older are hypertensive, with risk factors including vascular aging, high sodium diets, physical inactivity, obesity, and socioeconomic disadvantages like limited healthcare access and fixed incomes. These elements underscore the importance of tailored interventions that consider the unique needs of Miami’s elderly residents to improve health outcomes.

To address this issue, the proposed health promotion program implements a self-management approach that empowers the elderly through education, lifestyle modifications, and regular blood pressure monitoring. Literature supports the effectiveness of self-management interventions. Bryant et al. (2020) demonstrated that self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) substantially enhances long-term blood pressure control and patient engagement. Their research highlighted that SMBP leads to increased adherence to treatment regimens, which is critical for managing hypertension, especially in older adults who may struggle with complex medication schedules. Despite reliance on self-reported data that may introduce bias, the overall benefit of SMBP remains notable for improving hypertension outcomes among the elderly.

The theoretical underpinning of this health promotion initiative is grounded in the Health Belief Model (HBM). Founded in the 1950s, the HBM explains health behaviors through key constructs such as perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy (Suharmanto, 2021). Applying this model allows for designing an intervention that influences elderly individuals' beliefs and attitudes towards hypertension management.

Perceived severity and susceptibility are vital components. Elderly individuals need to understand the serious complications of uncontrolled hypertension, including stroke, myocardial infarction, and kidney failure. Education campaigns focusing on these adverse outcomes can elevate perceived severity and susceptibility, motivating behavioral change. Perceived benefits of lifestyle modifications—such as reduced salt intake, regular physical activity, and routine blood pressure monitoring—must be clearly communicated to enhance motivation. Addressing perceived barriers involves tackling issues such as financial constraints, limited access to healthy foods, and lack of exercise facilities. Community-based programs, affordable health food initiatives, and home blood pressure monitors are practical solutions to these barriers.

Empowerment through skill-building activities is also fundamental. Teaching elders how to measure their blood pressure accurately at home, prepare healthy meals, and integrate physical activity into daily routines can foster confidence and self-efficacy, further motivating sustained health behaviors. Cues to action, including reminders through community health workers and digital alerts, reinforce ongoing engagement with health management. Ultimately, by addressing these constructs through tailored education and community support, the program aims to instill lasting behavioral changes that control hypertension effectively.

The success of this program relies on integrating evidence-based strategies with culturally sensitive approaches to meet the diverse needs of Miami’s elderly population. Regular evaluation and adaptation based on feedback and health outcomes will be essential. By leveraging the strengths of the HBM and recent research findings, this health promotion initiative can significantly reduce hypertension-related complications, improve quality of life, and foster healthier aging in Miami’s aging population.

References

  • Bryant, K. B., Sheppard, J. P., Ruiz-Negron, N., Kronish, I. M., Fontil, V., King, J. B., & Bellows, B. K. (2020). Impact of self-monitoring of blood pressure on processes of hypertension care and long-term blood pressure control. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9(15), e016174.
  • Oliveros, E., Patel, H., Kyung, S., Fugar, S., Goldberg, A., Madan, N., & Williams, K. A. (2020). Hypertension in older adults: Assessment, management, and challenges. Clinical cardiology, 43(2), 99-107.
  • Suharmanto, S. (2021). Health Belief Model and Hypertension Prevention. Health Belief Model and Hypertension Prevention, 15(3).
  • American Heart Association. (2021). Hypertension statistics. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/01/19/hypertension-statistics
  • Benjamin, E. J., Muntner, P., Alonso, A., et al. (2019). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2019 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 139(3), e56–e528.
  • CDC. (2020). High blood pressure facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
  • Fang, J., & Ni, H. (2021). Socioeconomic disparities in hypertension management among older adults. Public Health Reports.
  • Sharma, P., & Farkas, J. (2019). Lifestyle interventions for hypertension management: Evidence and guidelines. Cardiology Clinics, 37(2), 149–157.
  • Whelton, P. K., Carey, R. M., Aronow, W. S., et al. (2018). 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Hypertension, 71(6), e13–e115.
  • Yancy, C. W., Jessup, M., Bozkurt, B., et al. (2017). 2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA heart failure guidelines. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 23(8), 628–651.

Related Assignments