Clinical Practice Guidelines, Essay Example

Hypertension

Hypertension is a critical concern for many patients because it may contribute to heart disease and stroke in many patients. Therefore, current clinical practice guidelines recommend a comprehensive patient evaluation, including history, physical exam, and blood testing, in order to identify a definitive diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan (Weber et.al, 2014). Hypertension encompasses a number of serious concerns; therefore, it must be addressed in a timely manner in order to manage the condition effectively and on a consistent basis (Weber et.al, 2014). One relevant concern is patients with uncontrolled hypertension, which requires an important understanding of the possible treatment options that are available to enable some degree of control of the disease, in spite of its difficulties (Banegas et.al, 2014). These efforts require an effective understanding of the challenges associated with the hypertensive state and the issues that are most common in evaluating patients most in need of treatment and guidance (Banegas et.al, 2014).

In common practice settings, evaluating blood pressure through routine measurements and addressing concurrent factors such as weight, dietary habits, and exercise are consistent with the objectives set forth by current guidelines. It is important to identify these resources and to take the steps that are required to ensure that hypertension control is maintained as best as possible. All patients are evaluated with respect to blood pressure by taking initial readings during the basic physical examination; however, it is possible that the reading at the beginning of an exam may be higher than at the end. As a result, a second reading should be taken if the patient exhibits a blood pressure level in a higher than normal range in order to determine if any additional guidance or treatment is required. This is an important step in managing hypertension from the first diagnosis more effectively.

Obesity

Obesity is a serious health concern throughout the United States and is a primary focus area in addressing the causes of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Therefore, obesity clinical guidelines must be precise and appropriate for the current dilemma that exists. At the same time, obesity guidelines must be recommended for the challenges of obesity and how to manage this condition as effectively as possible, using current techniques and strategies. Most importantly, common recommendations include diet, exercise, and in more extreme cases, weight loss surgery (Jensen and Ryan, 2014). In particular, diet and exercise are critical to the gradual reduction of weight over time and the ability to reduce the potential risks associated with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and a myriad of other conditions for which obesity may be an underlying cause (Jensen and Ryan, 2014). These factors are critical to the success of different treatment methods and the opportunities that are available to facilitate effective patient outcomes over time (Jensen and Ryan, 2014).

Primary recommendations such as weight loss counseling and dietary therapy are significant in a patient’s journey to greater health and wellbeing; therefore, it is important to identify these opportunities in current practice settings in order to improve the lives of many patients (Jensen and Ryan, 2014). It is particularly important to conduct counseling sessions with patients so that they are able to accomplish their weight loss goals safely and effectively, as well as gradually (Antognoli et.al, 2014). These factors play an important role in motivating patients regarding their weight loss journey and in performing the appropriate activities to ensure that patient care is optimized and is appropriate on all levels (Antognoli et.al, 2014). Patients who receive counseling are likely to respond favorably to weight loss objectives, particularly when they have ongoing support in this process (Antognoli et.al, 2014).

References

Antognoli, E. L., Smith, K. J., Mason, M. J., Milliner, B. R., Davis, E. M., Harris?Haywood, S.,

… & Flocke, S. A. (2014). Direct observation of weight counselling in primary care: alignment with clinical guidelines. Clinical Obesity, 4(2), 69-76.

Banegas, J. R., Ruilope, L. M., de la Sierra, A., Juan, J., Gorostidi, M., Segura, J., … & Williams, (2014). High prevalence of masked uncontrolled hypertension in people with treated hypertension. European Heart Journal, ehu016.

Jensen, M. D., & Ryan, D. H. (2014). New Obesity Guidelines: Promise and Potential. JAMA, 311(1), 23-24.

Weber, M. A., Schiffrin, E. L., White, W. B., Mann, S., Lindholm, L. H., Kenerson, J. G., … & Harrap, S. B. (2014). Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension in the Community. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 16(1), 14-26.