Argument essay
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comparisonessay.docxBajmaal 1
Bajmaal 8
Ethar Bajmaal
Jedd Beaudoin
ENG 102
October 22, 2018
Hypertension and Clinical Hypertension
Hypertension is a health problem which is considered to be untreatable. Means have to be devised to prevent the disease among those who have not gotten it (Williams et al. 1). Also, solutions have not been found yet except for reducing its risks for those who already have the problem. The American Journal of Hypertension (AJH) and Journal of Clinical Hypertension (JCH) suggest many ways in which Hypertension can be managed. These two journals suggest different techniques which can be used to handle hypertension problems. AJH suggests ranking for hypertension patients into categories for effective drug administration as one way of managing hypertension. It also suggests that modification of diet for patients and non-patients is another effective way to manage hypertension. On the other hand, JCH provides the use of Electronic Medical Record as an effective way that can be used in Hypertension management. However, a temporary evaluation of two articles and each article’s stand leads one into taking position of which one offers an effective suggestion. A position is only taken basing on arguments of each article’s authors, and how well they support their suggestions. AJH, from evaluation of all articles, AJH seem more supported than JCH.
American Journal of Hypertension
Authors of AJH argue that over time, hypertension has not been improved. There has not been enough treatment for hypertension patients. Neither has there been any awareness about the problem among people and health care technicians. Result for this has been negative improvement in control of hypertension in United States. The main reason for failure to control hypertension among American population is the increase in overall body weights. Most people are overweight or obese. Also, American Journal of Hypertension notices that physicians, patients and public as a whole are ignorant about control mechanics for hypertension (para 1). Argument for this is based on statistics in existence, showing a large percentage of hypertension patients were receiving treatment at baseline and just a few of patients had their problem controlled. From the journal, change in lifestyle, medication and goal oriented treatment can increase the rate at which blood pressure can be managed.
American Journal of Hypertension uses expected blood sugar level to define blood pressure. According to journal, hypertension is a systolic pressure in blood; which is of 140mmHg or more, and diastolic pressure of 90mmHg or greater; or being under treatment for blood pressure (para 6). Its argument for classifying hypertension patients as a way to manage blood pressure is based on unexpected levels of blood pressure. AJH suggests classification of patients based on risk factor stratification and staging in order to know which medicine to give to patients with different levels of blood pressure problems. Classification, according to AJH is to be based on readings from sphygmomanometer. After, identifying level of pressure in patients, it becomes easy for doctors to provide more clear directions for treating and making follow-ups on such patients. Thus, AJH uses normal rate of blood pressure to show who can be said to have hypertension, and which levels can exist. Based on this, classification can only be made after rates are identified and with right data at hand, then administration of medication becomes easy. Classification therefore can be a good way to manage and control hypertension.
Another recommendation AJH makes as an effective way to manage and control hypertension is establishment of cardiovascular risk factors among patients. In using this method, physicians are to assign patients into of risk categories in order to decide on which antihypertensive medicine is appropriate (para 12). AJH argues how this can be helpful by making known the risk factors which are associated with cardiovascular problems, for doctors to be able to assign the right drug therapy. Authors argue that the more risk factors a patient has the more complex the problem becomes. Argument for this fact uses solid examples of different levels of blood pressure with different levels of management; which include change in lifestyle, and therapy to identify right drugs to prevent hypertension. Change in lifestyle on the other hand, would prevent and control hypertension. In this method of managing hypertension, different approaches are used. Food types are recommended and others discouraged. Importance is explained to make it understood and accepted by people. Therefore, AJH advocates for classification of patients and modification of living styles as ways to control and manage hypertension.
Journal of Clinical Hypertension
Authors of JCH offer only one solution through which hypertension problem can be managed. They advocate for a different approach, not directly related to health of patients or victims. JCH highly relies on documentation to manage hypertension, a disease which goes undiagnosed, undetected and treated in poor ways. Adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) among physicians is an effective means to manage hypertension among patients (Milani 3). EMR is widely accepted as source documentation among many physicians. It relies on data like measurements of blood pressure levels, patients’ past medical records and any diagnoses made and recorded. According to EMR as a management method of hypertension, any undetected and untreated case of hypertension can be detected through computerized control of hypertension by providing real-time feedback required.
Journal of Clinical Hypertension compares use of Electronic Medical Records to paper work as a means to control and manage hypertension problems among people. With EMR, according to JCH, health care provides are given access to electronic complete data and information of diagnoses and all medications at the beginning of each patient visit (pp.2). All updates are made to records each time documentation is made. Records are designed such that through information they contain, physicians get alerts to diagnose and offer treatment to patients not only for hypertension but also to other related problems. As a response to all alerts, physicians have options to choose from; they can start new documentation of diagnoses or alter plans in provision of treatment, that is, pharmacologic therapy modification
Comparison of Central Ideas
Both AJH and JCH argue differently for the ideas they present. While AJH advocates for close monitoring of health of hypertension patients, JCH recommends use of Electronic Medical Records as an effective method for managing hypertension. From AJH, health is the only indicator that can give direction on managing health problems. From state of health of patients, then it becomes easy to make sound decisions on how to treat patients with blood pressure issues. It suggests close relationship between patients and doctors which allows close monitoring of patients and administration of appropriate medication. To help control and manage hypertension according to AJH, awareness needs to be created among people (para 16). Creation of awareness involves informing population the importance of modifying their lifestyle to reduce and avoid cases of hypertension. Also, authors of journal inform physicians various ways in which classification of patients will be helpful. This article uses persuasive strategies to argue for its main ideas.
JCH, on the other, hand argumentative approach. According to its authors, only records give a clear picture of prevailing health conditions and appropriate actions to be taken (pp. 4). JCH’s main idea is establishment of Electronic Medical Records for improving hypertension management. It provides that availability of EMR makes physicians responsible in doing necessary required actions to manage hypertension. Ethics are considered important in this case; doing what is expected in time and in the right way to save people. Here, ethos is used to argument ideas suggested. Also, identification of risk factors associated with hypertension creates emotions among people about such factors making them avoid them. Lastly, it argues that logical data are essential for hypertension management.
Similarities and Differences in Viewpoints between Authors
Both authors of AJH and JCH hypertension as a problem that is always undetected and untreated. They advocate for adoption of methods or techniques which would allow both patients and physician efforts to manage hypertension. Both believe that adoption of management suggestions discussed will help improve management of hypertension by a large percentage. In addition, prior knowledge about hypertension is essential in management (Williams et al. 2). Causes, levels and other records give direction in applying appropriate actions.
A difference exists in viewpoints of both authors. In AJH, authors advocate involvement of patients in reinforcing the value of suggested means of managing hypertension. Its viewpoint is that, success in managing a disease relies on both efforts of physicians as well as of patients (para 25). However, JCH only recognizes efforts of physicians in management of hypertension. Their records, which are only accessible by themselves, are the only essential source of control to hypertension. Therefore, while AJH authors recognize patients and population as important elements of hypertension management, JCH authors do not.
Both arguments presented have strengths and weaknesses. A point of strength is that they offer quantitative data for use in hypertension level classification. Also, they support themselves with sufficient examples. A weakness is that, some data provided and facts depend on statistics carried out by other researcher. Also, evidences provided for arguments are time biased, depending on data obtained at different times.
AJH authors’ perspective is more valid compared to JCH authors’ perspective. From arguments of AJH authors, suggested ideas are for managing hypertension while JCH suggestion aims at improving management which already exists. Existence of a management plan does not mean it works as expected. Improvement means plans are not adequate. American Journal of Hypertension could be important to other researchers for it involves participation of all patients, healthy people and physicians. Its evidences do not rely on time series.
Works Cited
Journal of Clinical Hypertension: Effectiveness of the electronic medical record in improving the management of hypertension. Accessed from https://academic.oup.com/ajh/article/12/S5/65S/163265
Milani, Richard V., et al. "Improving hypertension control and patient engagement using digital tools." The American journal of medicine 130.1 (2017): 14-20.
Williams, Bryan, et al. "2018 esc/esh Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension." European heart journal 39.33 (2018): 3021-3104.
