High blood pressure in old age: experiences in rural areas and challenges for nursing
Keywords:
hypertension; life-changing events; aging; elderly; rural environmentAbstract
Introduction: High blood pressure is more prevalent in the aging stage, when patients face difficulties due to physiological and emotional changes. The greater assiduity and austerity of timely preventive measures can be very useful.
Objective: To interpret the experiences of patients with hypertension during senescence in rural areas, as well as the challenges for nursing.
Methods: A qualitative, exploratory study with a phenomenological-hermeneutic design was conducted with 15 patients over 60 years of age from the Peruvian highlands. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews; the interview guide had content validity. The subcategories and categories that explain the phenomenon studied were generated through inductive coding and are presented in a semantic network.
Results: The resulting categories were: unpleasant experiences in the course of the disease and emotional tendency for a favorable coping of it; the subcategories were: global modifications due to the disease, limitations in performing activities, ineffective adherence to therapeutic measures, attitude to contribute to control, family accompaniment and support, desire to improve daily life and belief in God as emotional support. Other studies agree that the internalization of the disease will facilitate the active participation of patients to assume changes in their daily lives and adapt to the new reality.
Conclusion: Patients expressed dissatisfaction with the effects caused by arterial hypertension in the different spheres of their lives; however, they are ready to contribute and receive the necessary support to improve their living conditions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Katia Elizabeth Pérez-Ortiz, Leydy Castañeda-Sigueñas, José Ander Asenjo-Alarcón
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