Tasks of the family nurse concerning people with the risk of ischaemic heart disease in the context of diagnosing health behaviour in the selected group of people

Introduction. The general strategy of IHD prophylactics is focused on lowering the risk of coronary arteriosclerosis development. Arteriosclerosis prophylactic concerns mainly diet modification, physical activity, smoking cessation and reduction of alcohol consumption. Developing and preparing effective prophylactic programmes belongs to the tasks of the healthcare system, including the family nurse.

Aim of the study. The objective of the survey was to identify the key tasks of the family nurse while working with persons with IHD risk.

Material and methods. A diagnostic survey was carried out in the group of 110 subjects aged 35–55 years who took part in the prophylactic programme concerning circulatory system diseases implemented in four primary healthcare centres in Lublin. The results of the survey were correlated with the results of the SCORE algorithm (the assessment of the global future risk of ischaemic heart disease), by dividing the surveyed into the ones with confirmed and unconfirmed risk of IHD. The statistical evaluation was made with the use of the χ² test.

Results. The knowledge and behaviour of women in terms of nutrition are more often accurate and positive than of the surveyed men
(mainly concerning the consumption of animal fats). The correct BMI value is known to almost 33% of women and only 10% of men. 83% of women and 67% of men have the knowledge concerning the correct arterial blood pressure value. 3.3% of women and 8.1% of men drink
alcohol several times a week. The proper body mass index (BMI) range was found in 57.4% of women and 34.7% of men. 55.7% of women and 22.4% of men eat vegetables every day. The number of women who have never smoked or have quit smoking is much higher than that
of men.

Conclusions. Family nurse must diversify her actions in the programme of IHD prophylactics in relation to men and women since both health awareness and displayed health behaviour in both groups implicate a different degree of health risk, and the lack of such diversification can
result in a low effectiveness of undertaken actions.