INTRODUCTION:

Worldwide, hypertension is the third leading risk factor contributing to death, surpassed only by malnutrition and smoking¹.Hypertension is common and treatable and because uncontrolled hypertension has serious consequences, preventive measures and control of Blood pressure should be a high priority. A healthy lifestyle remains the cornerstone of the Management of blood pressure (BP) for all severities of hypertension. It is possible to prevent the development of hypertension and to lower blood pressure levels by simply adopting a healthy lifestyle². Health care workers can assess and contribute to the management of hypertension with exercise adequately if the patient is educated and convinced that lifestyle Changes are essential and indeed the most cost effective method of obviating cardiovascular disease.

Hypertension is an enormous public health issue, because it is a reversible risk factor for stroke, Ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, renal failure and peripheral vascular disease. Studies have shown that cardiovascular disease can be prevented by altering diet and lifestyle and by reducing risk factors such as hypertension. A lifestyle modification is a suitable primary therapy for patients with mild hypertension and is a suitable adjunct to pharmacologic therapy. All patients would benefit from general advice on healthy lifestyles, habits, in particular healthy body weights, moderate consumption of alcohol and regular exercise. Reducing blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease by changing lifestyle habits could decrease the cost of health care by decreasing the use of pharmacologic and invasive cardiovascular treatments. Health promotion and disease prevention should be the mainstay for public health and treatment of diseases³.

A study was conducted to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in an elderly community based sample in Kerala. A cross-sectional survey of 357 samples was carried out. Findings revealed an overall prevalence of hypertension to be 51.8% and less than 50% of the hypertensive subjects were aware of their condition or were on treatment. Rural subjects were especially less aware of their condition and the treatment for hypertension⁴.

A study was conducted on thirty-four hypertensive patients who were assigned at random either to six weeks of treatment by yoga relaxation methods with biofeedback or to placebo therapy (general relaxation).Both group showed a reduction in blood pressure (from 168/100 to 141/84 mmHg in the treated group and from 169/101 to 160/96 mmHg in the control group). The difference was highly significant⁵.

A study was conducted on twenty hypertensive patients using hypertensive drugs who were taught yoga, breath meditation, muscle relaxation, and meditation concentration. Their average blood pressure was reduced from 159.1/100.1 mmHg to 138.7/85.9 mmHg. The average blood pressure of twenty control subjects, who were rested on cough for the same number of sessions and who were given no relaxation training, was reduced from 163.1/199.1 mmHg to 162.6/97.14⁶.

A study was conducted on metabolites of biologic amines in management of essential hypertension by yoga. The study has been conducted on fifteen patients with essential hypertension. The findings suggest that the yogic therapy restores the urinary level of neurohormoral substance very close to the normal range indicting the efficiency of yoga in management of hypertension⁷.

A study was conducted to examine the effect of Hatha yoga and progressive relaxation on heart rate; blood pressure, physical self efficiency and self esteem. Ninety five female Japanese undergraduates participated in three weekly treatment sessions. Both treatments were effective in lowering heart rate, blood pressure and in improving self esteem. Perceptions of physical self efficiency declined overtime⁸.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Assess the Knowledge, Perception and awareness level about yoga among hypertensive patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study

Setting:

The study was conducted in K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Department of medicine, Deralakatte, Mangalore.

Population:

Patients with hypertension especially in the age group of 30-50years

Sample size:

The total number of samples for this study was 30.

Sampling techniques:

Purposive sampling technique was adopted for this study

Tools for Data collection:

1. Demographic Performa (it includes age, sex, education etc)

2. Structured questionnaire (It includes 30 questions)

Method of Data collection:

Questionnaire method was adopted for this study. questionaire was given to the patients and they were asked to read the questions and tick the appropriate answers. It consists of 30 questions. The participants were taken 30-40minutes to complete the Questions.

Technique of data analysis and interpretation:

Frequencies were tabulated to understand the knowledge components.

Major findings of the study were:

· Majority of the people were in the age group of 40-50years. (60%)

· Majority of the respondents were Males (70%)

· Majority of people studied up to Middle school (43.3%)

· 73% of people aware about meaning of increased blood pressure and also its affect the blood vessels.

· 56.6% of people aware that heart is the main organ affected by increased blood pressure.

· 43.4% of people they were not remembering when they are checked their blood pressure in the last time.

· 53.4% of people were having the family history of increased blood pressure.

· 50% of people were taking decreased salt content food (Low sodium diet) in their daily life.

· 66.6% of people were on regular medication.

· 50% of people answered yoga is the alternative measures other than medication for increased blood pressure.

· 53.3% of people were having the habit of doing exercises like jogging and walking.

· 30% of people were aware yoga will reduce stress.

· 33% of people were practicing yoga 1 hour in a day.

· 33.3% of people were participated yoga class.

· 66.7% of people were doing surya namaskar in the morning.

· 43.3% of people knew what yoga does.

· 60% of people say that they did not get yoga instruction from anybody.

· 50% of people say that they were not doing yoga in their daily life.

· 33.3% of people know the psychological benefits of yoga.

· 30.1% of people know the advantages of yoga.

· 33.3% of people know what the precautions to be taken while doing yoga.

· 23% of people aware yoga will reduce the stress and brings the blood pressure in a normal level.

· 53.3% of people were disagreeing the statement that yoga will decrease blood pressure.

· 36.6%of people aware about the contra indications of yoga.

· 33.3% of people were answered medicine is the best control agent for reducing increased blood pressure.

· 83.3% of the respondents were following the dietary control.

· 86.6% of people answered shavasana is the best asana for decreasing blood pressure.

· 90% of people aware about the importance of checking the blood pressure regularly.

· 83.3% of people aware emotional disturbance will increase the blood pressure.

· 70% of people were aware the increased blood pressure is one of the risk factor of death.

· 50% of people were agreed yoga is necessary in daily life.

CONCLUSION:

The findings in this study suggest that to achieve the ultimate goal of improving health by controlling hypertension, it is important to understand the current status of patient knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of patients towards lifestyle modification as an important factor in lowering blood pressure. It is necessary to understand these patient factors in order to develop effective strategies and interventions that enlist the patient as a participant in the management of their health. As the absolute risk of cardiovascular disease is higher in older individuals, public health strategies for implementing multicomponent lifestyle intervention should include this segment of the population.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Many patients look to their medical professionals for information and guidance, it is thus important that doctors are thoroughly educated on the importance of lifestyle modification in controlling hypertension, with focus on improving their interpersonal communication with patients.

REFERENCES:

1 Addo J, Smeeth L, Leon D. Hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review. Hypertension 2007; 50; 1012-1018

2 Campbell N, Burgess E, and Taylor G. Lifestyle changes to prevent and control Hypertension: Do they work? Can Med Assoc J 1999; 160: 1341- 3

3 Connor M, Rheeder P, Meredith M. The South African stroke risk in general practice study. S AfrMed J 2005; 95: 334-339

4 Kalavathy MC, Thankappan KR, Sarma PS, Vasan RS Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in an elderly community-based sample in Kerala, India. Natl Med J India 2000 Jan-Feb;13(1):9-15.

5 Sharma SV. Effectiveness of relaxation exercise on hypertension. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2005;8(2):75-9.

6 Sheitiwar RM, Singh HC, Udupa RN. Metabolites of biologic amines in management of essential hypertension by yoga. Yoga Mimamsa 1984; 12(3-4):87-91.

7 Cusumano JA, Robinson SE. The short term psychological effects of Hatha yoga and progressive muscle relaxation on female Japanese students. Applied Psychology 1993; 42(1):77-90.

8 Shoemaker. Effectiveness of muscle relaxation and biofeedback on hypertension. Journal of Human Hypertension 16(7): 27-9.

Received on 23.05.2014 Modified on 30.06.2014

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research 2(3): July- Sept. 2014; Page 210-212