Caring for patients with cardiovascular disease 

Cardiac diseases are one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. The course of the disease and the speed of recovery after surgery largely depend on the actions of relatives or attendants. Elderly and bedridden patients require special attention.

Physical care in cardiovascular disease plays a critical role. Equally important is the ability to recognize the symptoms of CVD, flag "red flags" (when urgent medical intervention is required) and provide first aid. In addition, it is desirable for a caregiver to be not only a nurse, but also a psychologist, since patients are often in anxiety and fear for their own lives, suffer from insomnia, may be forgetful and skip medication.

Nurse's tasks: 

1. Provide psychological support.

 2.Convince of the need for behavior modification. 

 3.Monitor the diet of a patient with CVD. 

   4.Prevent injury. 

   5.Help with gymnastic exercises.

   6. Watch for bedsores and complications if bed rest is indicated to the patient. 

   7.Encourage the patient's aspirations for self-care (if the patient can participate in planning, his mood rises and the strength to resist the disease appears). 

   8.Help with hygiene procedures.

   9. monitor the appearance of wounds and cracks in the skin.

   Thus, the main task of relatives is to create favorable conditions, to distract the patient from the fear of death, to convince that support will be provided at any time. It is desirable to isolate the patient from any mental stress, especially before surgery, after an attack and during the rehabilitation period.

Private complaints in cardiac diseases

When caring for patients with cardiovascular disease,it is important to monitor complaints. Close attention to the well-being of the sick person can save his life. 

The main complaints in CVD: 

Heartache. 

 They can be ischemic with localization behind the sternum, spreading under the left shoulder blade and receding at rest; non-ischemic, with localization in the nipple area, aggravated by exercise.

 Dyspnea. 

 The main complication is cardiac asthma, which can be recognized by pinkish foam from the mouth.

 Fainting. 

 The danger lies in the violation of the blood flow of the brain (hypoxia).

 Edema.

 Often appear in bedridden patients in the region of the sacrum and lower back, in walking patients - in the ankles, feet. The danger is in the further spread of fluid in the body cavity. One of the significant complications is thrombosis or thromboembolism against the background of blood stasis or after surgery. Lying and operated patients require constant supervision.

What indicators need to be monitored:

Care for diseases of the cardiovascular system should include, 

 monitoring the patient's performance:

 A. Measurement of arterial pulse.

   Measure the patient on the wrist only in a calm, better lying state. It is necessary to monitor the rhythm, frequency and magnitude. 

 B. BP control. 

   Constant pressure readings below 90/60 and above 140/90 are a reason to seek medical help. It is important to be able to use the tonometer correctly in order to avoid obtaining incorrect readings. Pressure is measured 1-2 hours after eating, not earlier than 5-10 minutes after rest. Smoking and drinking coffee affect performance.

C. Accounting for diuresis (daily urine output). 

Normally, a person excretes 1-2 liters of urine per day, i.e. 80% of the fluid consumed. 

For the prevention of edema and thrombosis, a shallow massage is recommended. Anyone who is constantly with the patient needs to master the skills of first aid. Dietary nutrition contributes to recovery after a heart attack, stroke or surgery, so the menu is based on the doctor's recommendations.

Features of care for patients with various CVD diseases With atherosclerosis: 

A caring person needs to be especially patient: 

Patients complain of headaches, dizziness, and constipation. It is difficult for the patient to move around, so all household duties are assigned to the assistant. You need to prepare low-cholesterol meals. The nurse will also have to do intramuscular and intravenous injections. With atherosclerosis, it is necessary to be observed by a cardiologist and a neuropathologist, and the one who sits with the patient should also take care of making an appointment with the doctor.

In hypertension, blood pressure should be measured twice a day. The patient should not be given food with a high salt content, coffee, smoked, fried, spicy, rich broths. Hypertensive patients sometimes experience a hypertensive crisis, so it is important to learn how to provide emergency care. With thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities, it is important to recognize the acute period. At this time, due to intoxication, the local temperature rises, appetite decreases, drowsiness appears, skin pallor and swelling are observed, and pain occurs. The patient becomes anxious, sleep may be disturbed.

It is important to provide the patient with physical and mental peace, to convince him to quit smoking. The diseased limb should be raised by placing a roller under it. In case of fever, the patient is wrapped up and given a hot drink. With edema, compresses and bandages are applied. It is necessary to regularly remind the patient of the importance of visiting a phlebologist. 

All patients with CVD need physiotherapy exercises: 

The exercise methodology is developed by professionals: relatives should ensure that the patient does not forget to follow the instructions.

Patients with CVD can receive high-quality care at the better equipped Vascular Centers. Patients with any cardiovascular diseases are taken care of there. If the patient is hospitalized, he should placed in a modern hospital, where  nurses provide professional assistance during the rehabilitation period. 

The duties of the staff include:

 Treatment, pain relief, compensation for lack of movement, feeding, hygiene care when the patient cannot get out of bed.

By Dr Sher jahan

(Knowledge from different sources)