Scope of diagnosis of the state of patients with cardiovascular diseases for the needs of nursing care

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases create major risk for the health and life of adult Poles. The participation of nurses in diagnosing and solving problems of care in this group of patients within secondary prophylaxis is an important element of professional care strategy.

Aim. Determination of states and care problems of patients with cardiovascular diseases as a basis for making nursing diagnosis.

Material and methods. The study included 120 patients with cardiovascular diseases who reported to the PHC Outpatient Department, and was conducted by the method of a diagnostic survey with a questionnaire designed by the author.

Results. As many as 51% of respondents were females, and 49% males. According to the BMI, 47% of respondents were overweight, and 39% obese. The most frequent cardiovascular disorders were: arterial hypertension (87%), followed by heart failure (42%), and coronary heart disease (42%). As many as 36% of respondents reported that they measured arterial blood pressure several times a week. Nearly 3/4 of patients possessed knowledge concerning the possibility to reduce cardiovascular risk factors; however, they did not undertake active actions in this respect, whereas 56% of patients wished to change their to-date life style.

Conclusions. In the group of patients with cardiovascular diseases, overweight and obesity occurred frequently, more often in men than women. The patients declared that they experienced stress at their place of work and in family life, mainly on an average level. Intolerance of physical activity, cardiac dyspnea, syncope with loss of consciousness, chest pain, were the most often symptoms for making nursing diagnosis.