ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to explore factors that may influence attendance at a mitral valve prolapse (MVP) support group. DESIGN: The study design was nonexperimental and descriptive. METHOD: The MVP Support Group Questionnaire was mailed to 18 MVP support group leaders and to 700 persons in whom MVP had been diagnosed. FINDINGS: Three hundred seventy-six questionnaires were analyzed. Data demonstrate that persons more likely to participate in an MVP support group are those who are older (>50 years of age) and those who belong to other self-help groups. The most important reason for attending these support groups was to obtain more information about MVP. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that MVP support groups are needed to provide support and information to people with MVP syndrome-information that is not normally available from family, friends, and physicians.
Subject(s)
Mitral Valve Prolapse/psychology , Self-Help Groups , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Mitral Valve Prolapse/complications , Patient Education as Topic , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse syndrome, the most common valvular disorder, include anxiety, fatigue, palpitations, headaches, and chest pain, to name a few. This syndrome is effectively treated in a nurse-managed, outpatient clinic that specializes in the treatment of mitral valve prolapse syndrome.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care Facilities/organization & administration , Mitral Valve Prolapse , Diet , Exercise , Female , Humans , Mitral Valve Prolapse/diagnosis , Mitral Valve Prolapse/nursing , Mitral Valve Prolapse/physiopathology , Mitral Valve Prolapse/therapy , Patient Education as Topic , SyndromeABSTRACT
Mitral valve prolapse syndrome, the most common valvular disorder, is associated with symptoms of anxiety, fatigue, palpitations, headaches, chest pain and more. Many non-drug interventions can be employed to alleviate symptoms.
Subject(s)
Mitral Valve Prolapse/nursing , Mitral Valve Prolapse/physiopathology , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Self Care/methods , Breathing Exercises , Exercise Therapy/methods , Humans , Mitral Valve Prolapse/classification , Relaxation TherapyABSTRACT
Obtaining feedback on data elements from national experts was crucial to the development of the core patient data set. This was accomplished, in part, through using GroupSystems electronic meeting software.
Subject(s)
Community Networks , Community Participation , Computer Communication Networks , SoftwareABSTRACT
As an alternative to drug therapy, patients with MVPS must be informed of their many options. As nurses, you can do an excellent job through education, through organization of support groups, and by developing written materials for these patients. In this field, a tremendous challenge with rewarding outcomes awaits you.
Subject(s)
Mitral Valve Prolapse , Patient Education as Topic , Diet , Female , Humans , Life Style , Mitral Valve Prolapse/diagnosis , Mitral Valve Prolapse/prevention & control , Mitral Valve Prolapse/psychologyABSTRACT
The effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise training protocol on 32 symptomatic women with mitral valve prolapse were studied. Subjects were randomly assigned to control or exercise groups. Exercise subjects completed a 12-week (3 times per week) exercise training program based on guidelines established by the American Heart Association for phase II cardiac rehabilitation programs; control group subjects maintained normal activities. Before and after training, subjects underwent maximal multistage treadmill testing, and measurements were obtained for plasma catecholamine levels at rest and during peak exercise; they completed the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and General Well-Being Schedule. Weekly symptom frequency of chest pain, arm pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, mood swings, dizziness and syncope were monitored for the 12-week period. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of covariance, and analysis of covariance with repeated measures. Compared with control subjects, the exercise group showed a significant (p less than 0.05) decrease in State Trait Anxiety Inventory scores, an increase in General Well-Being scores, an increase in functional capacity and a decline in the frequency of chest pain, fatigue, dizziness and mood swings. No statistically significant differences were noted in catecholamine levels at rest or during peak exercise. These findings support the use of aerobic exercise in the management of symptomatic women with mitral valve prolapse.
Subject(s)
Exercise , Mitral Valve Prolapse/physiopathology , Physical Education and Training , Adult , Affect , Anxiety/physiopathology , Anxiety/psychology , Attitude to Health , Epinephrine/blood , Exercise/physiology , Female , Heart Rate/physiology , Humans , Middle Aged , Mitral Valve Prolapse/blood , Mitral Valve Prolapse/psychology , Multivariate Analysis , Norepinephrine/blood , Oxygen Consumption/physiologySubject(s)
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/nursing , Atrial Fibrillation/diagnosis , Nursing Assessment , Nursing Process , Aged , Electrocardiography , Female , HumansABSTRACT
The widespread use of the calcium channel blocking agents provides a significant challenge to the critical care nurse. A thorough understanding of their mechanism of action and the implications of therapy is necessary to provide patients with safe nursing care.
