Background: Hypertension is a global health problem, without treatment it can lead to serious complication such as stroke and heart failure. Hypertension is mainly treated with life-style changes and medical treatment. The nurse's role includes informing and motivating patients to change their lifestyle to lower blood pressure. A challenge for nurses in health care practice is to motivate patients to lifestyle changes.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the nurse's role and way of working to guide patients with hypertension to change their lifestyle.

Method: A literature review according to Friberg was chosen as method based on articles with qualitative and quantitative design. Eleven articles were included after being analyzed, classified and compiled in an article matrix.

Results: In the study two main categories were found, Building a relation through person centered care and How to coach a patient to change their lifestyle. Important subjects in the study were found as relation, person centered care, motivation, communication and knowledge.

Conclusion: The nurse's role is to build a relation in a person centered way, motivate and convey their knowledge. A motivated patient who has knowledge increases their preconditions for succeeding with lifestyle changes.