Lifestyle modification and hypertension prevention

   BACKGROUND: Hypertension, a clear risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, affects nearly one billion people worldwide. Recent statistics have reported increasing mortality due to hypertension which reveals the importance of prophylactic strategies in controlling blood pressure. Lifestyle changes are one of the most effective ways to prevent and control hypertension.    METHODS: This study was a comprehensive literature review performed through searches in databases such as Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the terms "lifestyle", "hypertension", "lifestyle modification", "risk factors for hypertension", "nonpharmacologic treatment of hypertension", and "dietary and activity factors".    RESULTS: Lifestyle factors such as dietary behaviors and physical activity are associated with hypertension. Several studies have indicated direct and indirect associations between overweight and increased risk of hypertension. Increased consumption of grains, fruits, vegetables, and milk and reduced consumption of sodium, fat, and alcohol are effective in preventing and controlling hypertension. In addition, some studies have reported a 35% reduction in risk of developing hypertension among individuals who engage in regular physical activity compared to sedentary people.    CONCLUSION: Since lifestyle- and diet-related factors are often modifiable, perceptions of their effects have specific importance in hypertension prevention and treatment.       Keywords: Blood Pressure, Lifestyle, Overweight, Physical Activity, Nutritio

Study of Social Anxiety in Nursing Students of Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Social anxiety is an important factor in peoples’ mental health. Good mental health while studying in university makes students able to deal effectively with numerous stressors that they experience. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the social anxiety of nursing students in grades one to four of medical universities in Tehran. Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study, 400 students from universities of medical sciences in Tehran were recruited by stratified sampling with proportional allocation. Data were collected during the first semester in 2010. Students completed a two-part questionnaire including the Liebowitz social anxiety questionnaire and a demographic information form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods and an analytical test by SPSS statistical software. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the total scores of social anxiety of first- to fourth-year students. The mean score of the avoidance of social interaction dimension in fourth-year students was significantly lower than in first year students (p<0.05). Conclusion: In regard to the relationship between social anxiety and interpersonal communication as an associated part of nursing care, decrease of social anxiety of students could play an important role in their mental health. According to the results of this study, it seems that the placement of students in the nursing education system does not produce any changes in their social anxiety