Literature Review: Dietary Patterns and The Risk of Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension is a global health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. This condition is influenced by various factors, particularly unhealthy dietary patterns such as high sodium and fat intake and low fiber consumption. Changes in lifestyle have contributed to the increasing prevalence of hypertension across different age groups, highlighting the need for special attention in prevention and control through nursing approaches. This study aims to determine the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk and prevalence of hypertension, as well as to identify influencing factors and potential interventions. This study employed a literature review method by searching articles through Google Scholar and Garuda databases within the period of 2021–2025. The selected articles were full-text studies with quantitative and interventional designs relevant to the topic. The keywords used were “Nutrient intake and Hypertension risk”. A total of 325 articles were identified during the initial search. After the removal of 45 duplicate articles, 280 articles remained for title and abstract screening. Subsequently, 230 articles were excluded due to irrelevance to the study topic, leaving 50 articles for full-text review. Following the full-text assessment, 40 articles were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. As a result, 10 articles were included in this literature review. The results showed that most studies found a significant relationship between dietary patterns and the risk and prevalence of hypertension. Unhealthy dietary patterns, particularly those high in sodium and fat, were proven to increase the risk of hypertension. In addition, other factors such as physical activity, level of knowledge, and medication adherence also play important roles in blood pressure control. Interventions such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet have been shown to be effective in reducing blood pressure. Conclusion of this study was ost studies indicate that dietary patterns are significantly associated with the risk and prevalence of hypertension. Therefore, implementing healthy dietary habits, improving nutrition education, and promoting lifestyle modifications are essential strategies for the effective prevention and management of hypertension.