ASSESSMENT OF HEART HEALTHY PRACTICES AND CLINICAL RISK FOR COMPLICATIONS AMONG PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION AT SELECTED HOSPITAL IN CHENNAI

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is an important public health problem in both economically developed and developing nations. World Health Organization (WHO) data indicate that by 2025 the global burden of hypertension will increase by 60% to be 1.56 billion individuals worldwide and higher in the developed nations. Hence the present study is aimed to assess the heart healthy practices among patients with Hypertension. Assess the risk regarding complications among patients with Hypertension. Associate the heart healthy practices and risk for complications with selected demographic variables. Materials and Methods: The descriptive design was used in this study. 50 samples were selected using Purposive sampling technique. Heart healthy practices were assessed by using the devised 5-point Likert scale. Risks for complications were assessed by Modified Q- intervention scale. The collected data were analyzed statistically. Results: 48 (96%) of the patients demonstrated better heart healthy practices. Most of the participants were moderately risk 29 (58%), and few were at high risk 14 (28%) to develop complications regarding hypertension. A negative correlation was found and statistically significant at p < 0.05. There was no association found between Heart Healthy Practices and Clinical Risk Regarding Complication with selected demographic variables except for the occupation at p < 0.05. Conclusion: Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease as well as stroke. Blood pressure levels have been shown to be positively and continuously related to the risk for stroke and coronary heart disease. Practice of good heart healthy practices by the patients decrease the chance for complications related to hypertension.