Relationship between women cardiovascular disease risk factors and the perceived social support: implications for risk reduction

ABSTRACT

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among women. Women have received little attention regarding the risk reduction of cardiovascular diseases. Until recently, the incidence and potential severity of heart disease in women were underrecognized. As new knowledge becomes available, it is imperative that critical care nurses be acquainted with these developments and use this knowledge in their practice to modify those factors and manage that changing needs in the women's health. This study was designed to identify women cardiovascular disease risk factors, to determine the relationship between these factors and the perceived social support, and to provide supportive interventions information for risk reduction. A descriptive study design. This study was conducted in the coronary care unit and outpatient cardiac clinic of the Specialized Medical Hospital, Mansoura University. 40 adult females diagnosed as cardiovascular diseased and able to communicate. The researchers assessed the studied women individually for cardiovascular risk factors in the first 48 hours, then they were asked to answer the questionnaire about the data related to their perceived social support. Before the day of discharge a pre-test was done for every woman to determine her need of knowledge about the parameters of the supportive interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction. Then on the day of discharge, individual interview for information giving that included instructions, restrictions, and expectations about nutrition, smoking, exercises, stress, medications, and follow up care. Booklet as a handout about health instructions for lifestyle change and cardiovascular risk reduction was given to each woman. Post-test was done after one month from discharge in the outpatient cardiac clinic to measure the changes. It can be observed that more than half of studied females were at medium risk for coronary heart disease [52.5%] and the majority of them [62.5%] have perceived moderate social support. No relationship was found between the score of cardiovascular risk factors and the score of perceived social support. The mean total score was 14.80 +/- 1.95 before information giving and 42.80 +/- 2.23 after information giving [Z=5.548, P< 0.05]. It can be concluded that assessment of cardiovascular heart disease risk factors of women, which remained for long time neglected, should be recognized and managed to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Moreover, the unique contribution of the hospital-based nurses to provide information, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to the recovery phase following acute CHD events is not explicit. Hence, emphasizes should be done on assessment of the patients individual needs for information. These information may be backed up by written handout, and supported by critical care nurses home visits follow up or telephone calls