Independent interventions of the nurse in the management of cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

Background. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It has been demonstrated that primary prevention is more cost-effective than treating complications. Nurses play a crucial role in the primary healthcare team, implementing prevention activities among the population. Objective(s). The aim of the study was to determine the extent of nurses' interventions in implementation of prevention methods in the management of people with cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and methods. We conducted a narrative review study using PubMed and Google Scholar. We used keywords for the search and applied the following inclusion criteria: complete, free articles in English published within the last five years. The exclusion criteria used: only abstract available and the language other than English. The total number of articles was 35. Results. Researchers found that nurses play a pivotal role in reducing cardiovascular risk through the following independent activities: actively promoting and supporting recommended physical activity, personalized diets, quitting smoking/ decreasing alcohol consumption, managing hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Nurses accomplish this by providing information, education, support, motivation, setting personalized plans, monitoring results, scheduling repeat visits, individual consultations (face-to-face, telephone or other AI devices), group consultations, increasing compliance, including treatment. Conclusion(s). The nurse actively contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular risk through various specialized activities independent of the physician, thereby significantly reducing the physician’s burden in carrying out these tasks and being a trusted and essential member of the medical team.