A survey of coronary risk factors in a cohort of cardiac nurses from Europe: do nurses practise what they preach?

Thompson, D. R., de Geest, S., Fridlund, B., Heikkilä, J., Jaarsma, T., Mârtinson, J., Moons, P., Scholte op Reimer, W., Smith, K., Stewart, S. and Strömberg, A. (2002) A survey of coronary risk factors in a cohort of cardiac nurses from Europe: do nurses practise what they preach?. European journal of cardiovascular nursing, 1 1: 57-60.


Author Thompson, D. R.
de Geest, S.
Fridlund, B.
Heikkilä, J.
Jaarsma, T.
Mârtinson, J.
Moons, P.
Scholte op Reimer, W.
Smith, K.
Stewart, S.
Strömberg, A.
Title A survey of coronary risk factors in a cohort of cardiac nurses from Europe: do nurses practise what they preach?
Journal name European journal of cardiovascular nursing   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2002
DOI 10.1016/S1474-5151(01)00007-X
Volume number 1
Issue number 1
ISSN 1474-5151
1873-1953
Start page 57
End page 60
Total pages 4
Place of publication Amsterdam
Publisher Elsevier
Language eng
Subject 1110 Nursing
Abstract Background. Cardiac nurses play a key role in coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention, health promotion and education. Thus, one would expect that nurses would have a heightened awareness of the need to modify lifestyle in order to prevent or reduce the risk of CHD. Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the major CHD risk factors in a cohort of cardiac nurses from a range of European countries. Methods. Data on CHD risk factors were collected at a health-screening interview. The sample consisted of 130 cardiac nurses from 11 countries attending a European cardiac nursing conference held in the UK. Demographic data, lipid profile, blood pressure and exercise, alcohol and smoking habits were recorded. Results. Of the 130 nurses who took part in this survey, 81% were from the UK. The mean (S.D.) age of the sample was 40 (7.5) years and 91% were female. The means (S.D.) of the risk factors were: systolic blood pressure 132 (16) mmHg; diastolic blood pressure 83 (11) mmHg; body mass index (BMI) 24.6 (3.8) kg/m2; total cholesterol 5.1 (0.9) mmol/l; and blood glucose 5.5 (1.2) mmol/l. Ten nurses admitted to smoking and the mean weekly alcohol consumption was 10 units. Over half (53%) of the sample reported a family history of CHD and 49% reported exercising regularly. Conclusion. Results indicate that in general, cardiac nurses have adopted a healthier lifestyle than the general population. Self-reported exercise was higher than the UK national norms and BMI was lower than UK national norms
Formatted abstract Background. Cardiac nurses play a key role in coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention, health promotion and education. Thus, one would expect that nurses would have a heightened awareness of the need to modify lifestyle in order to prevent or reduce the risk of CHD. Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the major CHD risk factors in a cohort of cardiac nurses from a range of European countries. Methods. Data on CHD risk factors were collected at a health-screening interview. The sample consisted of 130 cardiac nurses from 11 countries attending a European cardiac nursing conference held in the UK. Demographic data, lipid profile, blood pressure and exercise, alcohol and smoking habits were recorded. Results. Of the 130 nurses who took part in this survey, 81% were from the UK. The mean (S.D.) age of the sample was 40 (7.5) years and 91% were female. The means (S.D.) of the risk factors were: systolic blood pressure 132 (16) mmHg; diastolic blood pressure 83 (11) mmHg; body mass index (BMI) 24.6 (3.8) kg/m2; total cholesterol 5.1 (0.9) mmol/l; and blood glucose 5.5 (1.2) mmol/l. Ten nurses admitted to smoking and the mean weekly alcohol consumption was 10 units. Over half (53%) of the sample reported a family history of CHD and 49% reported exercising regularly. Conclusion. Results indicate that in general, cardiac nurses have adopted a healthier lifestyle than the general population. Self-reported exercise was higher than the UK national norms and BMI was lower than UK national norms
Keyword Survey
Coronary risk factors
Cardiac nurses

 
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