Background: Hypertension increases all over the world and with the disease there is a risk för complications and personal suffering. The treatment involves lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatment. The district nurse has an important role in care of patients with hypertension and through health interviews, the district nurse can create possibilities for lifestyle changes. Motivation plays an essential role in implementing lifestyle changes and it varies in between individuals.

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine district nurse's perceptions of what motivates and what creates obstacles and holds back patients with hypertension to implement lifestyle changes.

Method: Eight district nurses who on daily bases worked with patients with hypertension and lifestyle changes were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach to reach the aim of the study.

Results: The district nurses experienced that both positive as well as negative factors were found to have an impact on a patient's motivation for lifestyle changes. These factors were both found in the district nurse and in the patient. The patient's inner drive force and the district nurse's professionalism created conditions for patients to implement lifestyle changes while as a patient's own negative attitude and a district nurse's lack of commitment and understanding created barriers for patients to implement lifestyle changes.

Conclusion: The district nurses experienced that both the district nurse and the patient's involvement in health interviews influenced the patient's motivation for lifestyle changes.