Background: Hypertension is a public health problem and a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. The basis for the nursing care is lifestyle changes. District nurses´ role includes to advise, motivate and support life style changes, as well as to promote patient participation and autonomy, through an equal and mutual communication.
Aim: The aim of the study was to illuminate experiences of district nurses supporting patients with hypertension to make lifestyle changes.
Method: The data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. Eight district nurses responsible for hypertensive patients were interviewed.
Results: Three categories emerged from the data analysis: Initiates cooperation; Confirms the individual and Adapts nursing for the patient, with six subcategories.
Conclusion: The district nurses perceived their role as central, important, and responsible when providing advice and instruction. They also considered themselves as an important link between the patient and other actors. Responsiveness of the patient's life context, as well as using a communication strategy when giving counseling on lifestyle changes were considered important to promote patient participation and autonomy. To motivate lifestyle changes individually was described as a difficulty and district nurses expressed frustration with the lack of time for follow-up.