Defining a Gap in Practice: Executive Summary NURS FPX 6614 Assessment 1 Defining a Gap in Practice Executive Summary

Presently, hypertension affects an estimated 116 million people in the United States (CDC, 2020). Due to pumping blood more forcefully to all parts of the body, high blood pressure thickens the walls of the left chamber of the heart. Heart attack, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death are all caused by a thick left ventricle (Oparil et al., 2018). Furthermore, evidence suggests that obese people are more prone to experience hypertension symptoms. They require more health-related adjustments, either medications or lifestyle modifications (Semlitsch et al., 2021). Team-based care combined with the care coordination process has the potential to impact patients’ health. The objective of this executive summary is to compare the efficacy of lifestyle modifications versus medications in managing hypertensive symptoms in overweight patients. This executive summary will also analyze the impact of care coordination on patients’ decisions.

Clinical Priorities for Overweight Hypertensive Patients 

NURS FPX 6614 Assessment 1 Defining a Gap in Practice Executive Summary

Obesity is defined by World Health Organization as 20% more weight than the ideal weight (WHO, 2021). Many adverse health outcomes, including hypertension, Type II Diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, heart failure, development of kidney disease, and hyperlipidemia, are associated with being overweight or obese (WHO, 2021). Obesity not only causes hypertension, but it also exacerbates the symptoms of hypertension in the patient. Overweight hypertensive patients are thought to have changed hormonal signals, as well as abnormalities in their sympathetic nervous system and kidney function. The increased abdominal pressure caused by visceral fat, as seen in obese people, places additional strain on the cardiovascular system (CVS) (Chrysant, 2019). This additional strain on the CVS ultimately results in uncontrolled or persistent hypertension making the condition worse for them. This persistent hypertension can make overweight patients suffer from dizziness, nose bleeding, headache, vision changes, chest pain, and muscle tremors (Chrysant, 2019). Thus, it is crucial to develop effective healthcare strategies, either medication regimens or lifestyle modifications that may help overweight patients manage their hypertensive symptoms. 

Care coordination is a critical tool for healthcare providers to use while assisting overweight hypertensive individuals in managing their hypertension symptoms. Patients will find it easier to communicate with their physicians, nutritionists, pharmacists, and nurses owing to a streamlined care coordination procedure (Karam et al., 2021). Care coordination is a team-based strategy with the goal of including patients in their own care with other members of the healthcare team (Karam et al., 2021)