Role of Cardiovascular Nurses in Preventative Care

CVD Preventative Care 1
Role of Cardiovascular Nurses in Preventative Care
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CVD Preventative Care 2
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), also referred to as diseases of the heart, are basically the health
complications that involve blocked or narrowed blood vessels, blood clots or structural problems,
and thus becoming potential causals of various heart complications. The most common types of
cardiovascular diseases are High blood pressure, Coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral
artery disease, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrest among others
(Papageorgiou, 2016). In the preceding years, CVD has been a forefront cause of premature
mortality as well as morbidity globally. In Australia, particularly, CVDs have been a big menace
that the government and various health stakeholders are doing their best to eradicate completely.
Other than just treating already infected individuals, taking preventive measures against CVD is
a viable approach to reducing its prevalence. Although various healthcare professionals have a
role in preventative care, nurses, in particular, have a significant part to play. When handling
patients, it has emerged clearly that nurses would effectively take part in CVD preventative care.
Compiled henceforth is a vivid inscription of the role of nurses in the preventative care of
cardiovascular diseases.
In healthcare settings, nurses have the highest contact time with patients more than other
healthcare staff. As such, they have a duty not only to aid in treatment processes for
cardiovascular diseases but also in prevention attempts. Patients of various CVDs are bound to
suffer a heart attack at one time if their conditions are not effectively managed. Nurses should
efficiently conduct cardiac rehabilitation to heart attack patients to aid them to return to their
normal daily life activities and prevent another attack (Mosby, 2009). Patient education, patient
exercise training, modification of risk factors and overall well-being of patients are examples of
evidence-based nurse-led preventative measures that effectively curb CVDs. Below are key areas

CVD Preventative Care 3
of competence that cardiovascular nurses should be well acquitted with for effective prevention
of CVD (Perk, et al., 2007).
It is of great importance that nurses have deep knowledge on the risk factors that fuel CVDs.
Smoking, for example, is scientifically proven to increase the risk of heart complication by 2-4
times in comparison to non-smokers. Hypertension on the other side increases the pressure of
pumping blood through the system and thus having a severe effect on the endothelium by
increasing the risk of coagulation (Schmidt, et al., 2010). Age is another risk factor. Younger
people are less vulnerable in comparison to older people who are at a higher risk. With this in
mind, nurses get a focus point where they intensify care provision. Other risk factors that nurses
should be aware of are diabetes, obesity, poor diet, socioeconomic status, cholesterol, and
physical inactivity.
It is, therefore, the role of all nurses in their line of duty to create awareness to their patients on
various risk factors. Additionally, they ought to inform patients how the risk factors can be
reduced. Clear communication should be established by nurses and allow patients to express
their knowledge of the risk factors they know (AACN, 2009). Nurses should then add on more
and how they can be gradually reduced. For any success, however, the patients must
acknowledge the existence of an issue and want to change. Jointly, the nurse and the individual
should come up with lifestyle modifications that are fit for the patient, all factors are taken into
consideration (European Society of Cardiology and Other Societies on Cardiovascular Disease
Prevention in Clinical Practice, 2016). Additionally, nurses need to encourage their client to talk
with family and other close affiliates on significant lifestyle modifications such as dietary and
exercise.