The Effectiveness of Salt Restricted Diet in Reducing Hypertension

This report investigates the effectiveness of a salt-restricted diet in managing hypertension. It begins with an abstract and background on hypertension, highlighting the condition's causes, symptoms, and potential complications. The report outlines the search strategy used to gather information from sources like Google Scholar, CINAHL, and various medical websites. A comprehensive literature review explores the basic understanding of hypertension, the roles of care practitioners in patient management, and the benefits of a low-sodium diet. The report details the research aim, objectives, and questions, followed by a proposal outlining the qualitative research method, descriptive research design, inductive research approach, interpretivism research philosophy, and mixed method approach. It also includes information on sampling, data collection methods, ethical considerations, and limitations of the research. The report emphasizes the importance of care practitioners in educating patients about healthy habits, medication management, and lifestyle modifications to control blood pressure. The conclusion reinforces the benefits of a salt-restricted diet in reducing hypertension and minimizing the risk of related health issues.

Reduce Hypertension through
Salt Restricted Diet

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................................1
SEARCH STRATEGY....................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
The basic understanding about hypertension.........................................................................3
The roles of care practitioners to improve hypertensive condition of patients......................4
The benefits of salt restricted diet for reducing hypertension................................................5
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.............................................................................................................6
Research aim..........................................................................................................................6
Research objectives................................................................................................................6
Research questions.................................................................................................................6
PROPOSAL.....................................................................................................................................6
Qualitative method of research...............................................................................................6
Descriptive research design....................................................................................................7
Inductive research approach...................................................................................................7
Interpretivism research philosophy........................................................................................7
Mixed method.........................................................................................................................8
Sampling method....................................................................................................................8
Data collection methods.........................................................................................................9
Ethical considerations.............................................................................................................9
Limitations of the research.....................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................12
Data extraction table.............................................................................................................12

ABSTRACT
Hypertension usually not shows any kind of signs specifically rather it acquires extreme severe
situation. It is necessary for patient with high blood pressure condition should focus on their
medicine routine as well as daily routine of life. However, it is necessary for them to reduce salt
in their dietary intake due to which their blood pressure can be controlled easily. In addition to
this, it is favourable for them to gain suggestions form physicians in regards to effective intake of
food items which are beneficial for them to maintain their normal blood pressure. However, it
has been analysed that effective maintenance of blood pressure is required otherwise it is
responsible for occurring other severe conditions including stroke and heart disease. This
investigation will focus on various research articles in order to make them wellbeing. It will
include the utilisation of number of websites such as mayoclinic.org, webmd.com, Medscape,
medicalnewstoday.com, healthline.com, emedicine.medscape.com, medlineplus.gov, heart.org
and ncbi.nlm.nih.com. It secondary sources of data collection are used for analysing views of
different authors about strategies of restricted salt diet to maintain condition of high blood
pressure. This strategy is not only effective to improve hypertension whereas it is beneficial to
reduce risk of other severe disease also.
BACKGROUND
Hypertension can be consider as a condition of human body in which force of blood against the
artery walls becomes too high. Basically, hypertension is known to be blood pressure above
140/90 and condition is called to be complicated when this pressure reach above 180/120. It has
no symptoms but if not treated it will facilitate severe health problems such as heart diseases and
stroke. It is necessary for people to intake healthy diet and conduct regular exercise daily which
helps to maintain normal, blood pressure condition and related health issue will not occur
(Sawada and et. al., 2015). However, it has been analysed that people intake junk food and
sedentary behaviour which are responsible to depositing fat molecules in blood vessels due to
which they become narrow, it will results into developing high pressure of blood flowing. It is
observed that high blood is commonly observed in people suffering from obesity, high
cholesterol and heart problems. Meanwhile, hypertension is not a complicated problem but if it
will not treated on time then it will acquire severe condition like developing heart issue and
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stroke. It is necessary for people to intake balanced diet to avoid compounds increasing blood
pressure to maintain their better health condition.
The strategy of restricted salt diet plays an important role to reduce the elevated level of high
blood pressure among individuals. It is necessary for people with problem of high blood pressure
in intake limited salts in their food diet in a day. However, it is favourable to maintain high blood
pressure along with reducing risk of occurring other relevant diseases. It is required for care
professionals to provide knowledge to people about food items which are suitable to eat to
eliminate amount of salt to manage condition of hypertension (Travaglia and et. al., 2016).
Meanwhile, it has been analysed that low sodium diet is mostly prescribed to patients with
several medical condition such as heart failure, high blood pressure and kidney diseases. It is
very important for individuals to understand the role of dietary precautions to speed up recovery
and decrease risk of occurring problem in future. In addition to this, it is required for medical
practitioners to make people aware about actual reason of avoiding salts in food which encourage
them to do so. Moreover, it is observed that professionals have much workload due to which they
are not able to individual communicate interventions then they can use other methods to increase
awareness like posters, advertisements, leaflets, info graphic etc.
This research is based on the Albany Street clinical that is located in the Edinburgh and provides
care services to deal with problem of hypertension among patients for their wellbeing. It includes
the area from where information will be gathered in context of intervention that restricted diet is
helpful to reduce the problem of hypertension. In context of this investigation, it will focus on
effectiveness for salt restricted diet in terms of reducing the hypertension among patients. It is
observed by different studies that low sodium diet is suitable to reduce the condition of high
blood pressure due to which physician prescribe this strategy to people with hypertension (Qin
and et. al., 2014). However, it will also include roles of care practitioners to make people
understand about precautions to improve hypertensive condition of patients. Meanwhile, the
benefits gained by following salt restricted diet in respect of decreasing hypertension for making
patient feeling relief.
SEARCH STRATEGY
The search strategy used for this research contains Google scholar, CINAHL, midline, Pub mid
etc., to gather information related to selected topic. It is much effective to gather more accurate
and relevant information in order to gain appropriate findings. However, several other strategies
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were also used to conduct this study which is mentioned here. In context of this investigation, the
several websites were used to gather information for literature review such as mayoclinic.org,
webmd.com, Medscape, medicalnewstoday.com, healthline.com, emedicine.medscape.com,
medlineplus.gov, heart.org and ncbi.nlm.nih.com. It includes the use of peer review articles,
books and journals in order to gather relevant information of hypertension to address the research
objectives in proper manner. However, it involves the utilisation of articles related to basic
knowledge about the health problem of hypertension in order to analyse its relevant symptoms
and causes. It can be consider taking the view and opinions of different authors in terms of given
research problems. Meanwhile, it consist the use of different websites in order to collect more
updated and accurate data which provide support to gain appropriate findings. It is important to
utilise correct websites and articles to extract accurate information related to effectiveness of salt
diet for reducing hypertension.
On the other hand, it is observed that various authors have their different opinion in regards to
intake of low sodium diet for overcoming with problem of hypertension. It includes the criterion
of gathering an effective as well as efficient evidence for the intervention of low salt diet so that
it can be applied among sick people more confidently to improve patient outcomes (Rust and
Ekmekcioglu, 2016). However, the use of secondary sources of data collect is mush effective as
well as efficient in terms of gathering accurate information which facilitate to appropriate results
of the entire investigation. It consists several key terms like hypertension, care practitioner,
diagnosis and slat restricted diet. In addition to this, the use of authors opinions are favourable to
gain information effective strategies and ways through which salt restricted diet can be followed
by patient properly to become wellbeing very soon. It includes use of websites related to
medicine field that helps to gain correct information to address selected research objectives in
proper manner.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The basic understanding about hypertension.
As per views of Felman A. (2020), it is sufficiently high which may cause several health issue
including heart disease and stroke. However, the condition of hypertension generally has no
signs or symptoms even when blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. It has been
analysed that some of individual’s shows number of indicatives signs such as headaches,
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shortness of breath or nose bleeds which are not considered as specific symptoms of
hypertension. It is observed that hypertension condition shows specific symptoms when a
condition of high blood pressure reaches a severe or life threatening stage. Basically, it can be
categorised as condition of primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Initially, the
primary hypertension when cause is generally not identifiable regarding primary hypertension
which needs several years to develop gradually. It is not commonly evaluating the condition in
adults so that treatment should be provided at earlier stage.
On the other hand, the secondary hypertension which is usually caused due to an underlying
condition which tends to occur suddenly and cause higher blood pressure. According to the
opinion given by Holland K. (2020), it has been analysed that there are various conditions or
intake of medications which can leads to hypertension including obstructive sleep apnoea,
kidney problems, adrenal gland tumours, thyroid problems, certain defects by birth with
(congenital) in blood vessels and illegal drugs use like cocaine & amphetamines. However, it
also includes several medications such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over
the counter pain relievers and few of prescribed drugs cause problem of high blood pressure. In
addition to this, there are number of risk factors in relation to hypertension including age after 60
years, race, family history, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, using tobacco
or alcohol, too much salt (sodium) in diet, too little potassium in regular diet, stress and certain
chronic conditions.
The roles of care practitioners to improve hypertensive condition of patients.
The care practitioner plays an important role in order to assess the actual health condition of an
individual to provide appropriate testament for their welfare. Cheryl R and et. al. (2016), it
includes their role of conduct clinical assessment procedures to make accurate decision making
of deliver better care services accordingly. However, it consist to carry out urine test, cholesterol
screening, blood tests, test the electrical activity of heart with the help of ECG
(electrocardiogram) and ultrasound of heart as well as kidneys. Care professionals should make
people aware by providing relevant information about healthy habits. Initially, it consists to
reduce extra weight of body and watch the waistline to maintain it and conduct physical exercise
on daily basis. Secondly, it includes providing information about eating healthy diet regularly by
keeping food diary, considering boosting potassium and be a smart shopper. Thirdly, it consist to
decrease sodium in diet and limit the in taking amount of alcohol that impact negatively health
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condition. It is necessary for people to quit smoking and cut back of caffeine to improve
condition of high blood pressure.
Care professionals have several roles towards wellness of patients regarding hypertension such
as providing correct medications. As mentioned by Barry L. Carter., Hayden B. Bosworth and
Beverly B. Green. (2011), it includes the criterion of providing various medicines as per
suitability of individual’s immune system. Meanwhile there are various kinds of medicine
options are valuable such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II
receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha agonists,
renin inhibitors and combinations of these medications. However, the healthcare practitioners
should make patient aware of healthy lifestyle which can maintain blood pressure normal
throughout the entire life. Moreover, they have to followed number of standards at the time of
providing effective care services to hypertensive individuals which are mentioned her. It includes
access & communication, patient tracking & registry functions, care management, patient self-
management support, electronic prescribing, test tracking, referral tracking, performance
reporting & improvement and advanced electronic (Walter and et. al., 2016). Medical
professionals should conduct health promotion campaigns to make people informed about
healthy diet at large level to reduce problem of hypertension among citizens of the country.
The benefits of salt restricted diet for reducing hypertension.
The salt is responsible for including sodium chloride to form compounds in which sodium is
harmful in terms of increasing blood pressure. According to Ha S. K. (2014), it is an effective
strategy of using restricted salt diet for patient suffering from hypertension. However, it is very
important for people to understand about use of low sodium diet for improving their condition
and reduce risk of occurring high blood in future. There are various kinds of benefits gained with
the help of adopting restricted salt diet in which some of them are given here. It includes the
primary benefit of lowering blood to maintain the condition of hypertension and decrease the risk
of occurring severe problem of heart attack. Meanwhile, it consist the benefit of reducing the
LDL cholesterol as high B.P. is one of the major factor of metabolic syndrome. It includes the
favour of preventing congestive heart failure and reduces the risk of damage kidneys.
On the other hand reduced salt diet is beneficial to prevent chance of occurring stroke and lessen
the chance of a brain aneurysm. Jaret P. (2020) states that it is also favourable for protecting
vision of an individual, decrease risk of get suffer from diabetes and improve the memory
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strength. However, it involves the profit of lowering risk of dementia along with decreasing the
hardening as well as thickening of arteries. Meanwhile, it includes the benefit of reducing the
bloating and swelling along with reducing of in taking amount of alcohol by reducing condition
of dehydration. In addition to this, salt restricted diet is suitable to curb the salt cravings and
reduce risk of occurring headaches accordingly. It involves the benefit of building more strong
bones along with decreasing risk of formation of kidney stones that facilitate to maintain better
health condition. Moreover, it is favourable to give permission to heart for pumping blood in
more effective as well as efficient manner. It is also beneficial in terms of lowering risk of
stomach cancer respectively.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Research aim
The aim of this investigation is “to analyse the effectiveness of salt restricted diet in order
to reduce hypertension among patients”.
Research objectives
 To identify the basic understanding about hypertension.
 To evaluate the role of care practitioners to improve hypertensive condition of patients.
 To analyse the benefits of salt restricted diet for reducing hypertension.
Research questions
 How to identify the basic understanding about hypertension?
 What are the roles of care practitioners to improve hypertensive condition of patients?
 How to analyse the benefits of salt restricted diet for reducing hypertension?
PROPOSAL
Qualitative method of research
In context of this investigation, it will focus on qualitative method of research which is an
effective technique in order to gain proper understating in relation of underlying reasons as well
as motivations. It is helpful to uncover the prevalent trends in thoughts and opinions which is
favourable to conduct study to analyse effectiveness of restricted salt diet in terms of reducing
problem of hypertension (Svenningsen and et. al., 2015). It will provide support to evaluate the
collected information by extracting details in respect of gaining more accurate findings
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respectively. However, it will focus on non-statistical data analysis with the help of gain findings
by interpreting the views gathered from participants. It includes use of various kinds of methods
in order to conduct data analysis such as interviews, questionnaire, focus groups, survey and
many more. It is suitable to conduct this investigation for achieving accurate results.
Descriptive research design
The description research design method can be considered an effective way to define the features
of selected population or specific phenomenon which is required to be studied. It is favourable to
gain more detailed description about the criterion that is being studied to gain accurate results.
Basically, it is favourable method because it is known as a scientific method which consist the
use of observation as well as describing the behaviour of particular subject. In context of this
research, it is suitable to examine the specific characteristics of selected group of participants to
conduct the analysis of gathered information in more effective as well as efficient manner.
Meanwhile, it is an effective method as it is accountable to focus on establishing associations
between variables consider in investigation which helps to gain appropriate findings respectively
(Saneei and et. al., 2014). It defines about behaviours, conditions and effects on individuals or
groups to study the facts of research problem effectively.
Inductive research approach
The inductive approach of research can be considered as social phenomenon which is observed.
It consist the way of collecting information on the criterion of possible purposes that why the
specific problem occurs and relevant trends on the data are required to be examine in effective
way. Basically, it can be considered as an efficient theory that is developed from this data in
order to conduct explanation of the specific phenomenon. However, it is used because of having
a process of sing examples an observation in terms of reaching a conclusion by gaining accurate
results of the investigation. In case of this research, it will focus on use the inductive approach
which uses the patterns to arrive at a conclusion (Luzardo, Noboa and Boggia, 2015). Moreover,
it is favourable to conduct investigation on strategy of restricted salt diet to improve hypertension
to attain better findings.
Interpretivism research philosophy
The interpretivism can be defined as an approach which is generally utilised by interpretivist
researchers in terms of interpreting the factors of the study. In context of the given investigation,
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it is will focus on the research philosophy of interpretivism because it is responsible for
integrating the human interest in the study. Meanwhile, this technique is mainly based on
developmental theories or rule or laws but to study and generalise the completely of social aspect
in business as well as management discipline. In addition to this, this investigation will use
interpretivism philosophy as it is a crucial to understand differences between humans in their
roles as social factors. However, it is helpful to interpret the social roles of others in accordance
with the meaning set of meanings. It involves the criterion of emphasizing the differences
between conducting research among people rather than objects.
Mixed method
This involves utilisation of mixed research methods that involves collect, analysing and
integrating quantitative and qualitative method. It includes the use of mixed approach in which
suitable technique are considered in order conduct an effective as well as efficient study for
gaining better results. However, it is favourable to collect data from both open and close ended
questions in response of research questions to gather appropriate information (A Schreiber and
et. al., 2016). In addition to this, it includes that persuasive and rigorous procedures for the
qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the collected at in terms of achieving accurate
findings. In addition to this, this research will prefer to utilise the mixed method to conduct
because it will provide support to strengthen the results and conclusion of the study. Moreover, it
is suitable to conduct research to analyse effectiveness of restricted salt diet for attaining better
findings.
Sampling method
The sampling can be defined as a process to select participants in order to gain information to
interpret findings. It can be categorised into probability and non-probability sampling with their
sub sections. In context of this investigation, it has been analysed that random sampling will be
focussed to conduct recruitment of participants by their self-opinion for involving in entire
procedure of investigation. The people selected for sample were working in Albany Street Clinic
which is situated in the area of Edinburgh to gain their opinions about the selected topic of
restricted salt diet is helpful for reducing hypertension. Meanwhile, it is used because this
technique facilitate to selected participants with an equal probability to select perfect sample for
utilising in research. It is favourable to gain accurate results of given topic related to
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hypertension accordingly (Rodrigues and et. al., 2017). The sample of this study is group of 30
respondents to be involved in investigation.
Data collection methods
Data collect methods involved technique through which relevant information can be gathered to
conduct study for gaining desired outcomes. It can be categorised into primary and secondary
data sources that are used in this investigation, however, the primary sources includes interview,
focus groups, interview and questionnaire etc. in which suitable one can be used for conducting
data interpretation. On the other hand, secondary data collection sources includes books,
journals, articles, websites and many more to conduct appropriate literature review. It is used to
analyse vies of different authors in terms of gaining accurate findings of research in proper
manner.
Ethical considerations
An ethical consideration includes the criterion of remaining trustworthy and fair while
conducting overall research including use of data from different sources. It includes the fact that
ethical principles are considered at the time of carrying out different procedures of investigation.
However, researcher focuses on fairness and shares all the important details about investigation
criterion to participants and takes permission from them for utilising their personal information.
It is necessary to remain loyal and maintain confidentiality of personal information. It includes
the essential point to follow all the legal rules and regulations while using information from
various sources to gain accurate outcomes.
Limitations of the research
The limitations of research includes the fact lack of time force investigator to avoid some of
small factors which are required to consider in research like making written records of views. It
includes that some of respondents were not able to provide proper views and share their opinions
which creates limitations as it impact on outcomes of study. Moreover, it includes that different
articles and journal used were not based on specific topic due to which specified information is
required to extract to conduct analysis for interpreting outcomes.
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