THE ROLE OF NURSING IN PREVENTING PREMATURE HYPERTENSION

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyze the main nursing strategies used in the prevention of early-onset hypertension, based on recent scientific evidence. It is an integrative literature review, with a search conducted in the SciELO, BVS, and PubMed databases, using inclusion criteria such as publications from 2021 to 2023, written in Portuguese, and focused on nursing practice. The final sample consisted of eight studies that addressed different aspects of hypertension prevention in young and early adult populations, highlighting educational actions, screenings, continuous monitoring, and the promotion of healthy habits as the main strategies adopted. The results showed that nursing plays a central role in the prevention of early hypertension, especially through interventions in school settings, community actions, and activities developed in Primary Health Care. The studies emphasize the importance of active listening, the bond between professionals and patients, individualized approaches, and integration with interdisciplinary teams. These practices contribute not only to the early detection of risk factors but also to the adoption of protective behaviors, such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Among the challenges faced in the research, the scarcity of studies focused exclusively on young populations and the methodological limitations of some publications stood out. Nevertheless, the findings support the conclusion that the preventive role of nursing is effective and essential in addressing early-onset hypertension. It is recommended that future research expand the number of studies targeting younger age groups and explore the use of digital technologies as tools to support prevention. This study contributes to strengthening the recognition of nursing as a key player in health promotion and cardiovascular disease prevention.