Potential opportunities for nurse’s participation in cardiovascular disease prevention in Bulgaria

Abstract

Abstract Background The role of the nurse in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not clearly regulated in Bulgaria. Autonomous nursing interventions related to health education and monitoring of CVD patients are poorly integrated in the nursing profession. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the disease on social life among CVD patients and the need for preventive nursing care. Methods The study included 146 CVD patients and a control group of 146 individuals. The number of men and women in both groups is equal. The mean age of the respondents is 61.15 ± 2.35. The toolkit contains 3 parts: a standardized questionnaire for the study of the quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), an adapted Bulgarian version of the anxiety test (STAI), a panel for social adaptation and health care. Statistical analysis was made using the SPSS software. Results Anxiety negatively affects patients' ability to cope with occupational and family involvement (χ2 = 27, p = 0.000); limits leisure activities (χ2 = 22.97, p = 0.000); the frequency of communication with friends and colleagues is decreased (χ2 = 10.58, p = 0.01); the possibilities for organizing daily life according to needs are limited (χ2 = 22.37, p = 0.000). Increasing anxiety levels decreases patients' health scores. The relationship between the variables anxiety and quality of life is inversely moderate (r = -0.492). One-third of patients indicate the need for health information about the disease and training by a nurse to deal with the symptoms of the disease. Conclusions The chronic illness complicates the daily life and social life of CVD patients. The outlined psychosocial characteristics of CVD patients are directly related to the assessment of quality of life and health. The nurse can actively participate in the training of patients to control disease manifestations and adapt to daily life. Acknowledgments This study was supported by Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Postdoctoral Project-08/2019. Key messages Nurses have professional competencies for monitoring and training patients to cope with risk factors and their integration in teams with other medical specialists can be beneficial. The active participation of nurses in the prevention of CVD will contribute to improving the quality of patient care.