The role of nurses in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases

The thesis seeks to examine the role of nurses in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Today, CVD are one of the most frequent causes of death in adults worldwide. In Europe they are involved in up to 40% of deaths annually. These diseases affect the heart and blood vessels and can occur in several forms, such as ischemic heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure. Therefore, primary prevention is a vital part of nursing interventions. Prevention of CVD is closely linked to the awareness of risk factors. Hence, it should be aimed at proper handling of such factors or possible treatment. The work is composed of two parts, the first part being theoretical and the second practical. Two objectives were set for this thesis. Firstly, to map out the role of nurses in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases; secondly, to determine whether nurses in GP surgeries are involved in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The following research questions were defined: ?What is the main role of nurses in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases???How do nurses in GP surgeries engage in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases???Do nurses in GP surgeries use the SCORE risk charts??The qualitative research revealed that nurses are most often involved in the prevention of CVD as proper lifestyle educators and monitors of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. It was also found that nurses in GP surgeries engage in primary prevention of CVD. The thesis records interviews carried out with nurses, describing the interviews in the results. The most common and most interesting responses are given in tables. The results of the thesis can be used as a source of information on proper primary prevention of CVD in GP surgeries. This information was used to create guidelines for nurses on how to proceed in the primary prevention of CVD