Introduction
Heart illness encompasses various cardiovascular diseases, a major cause of mortality. Unfortunately, men are more aware of cardiovascular diseases than women, making them the most vulnerable population. Heart health status can deteriorate due to misinformation and lack of education. Tailored education for women is necessary to encourage better practices and improve heart health (Adreak et al., 2021). Therefore, awareness approaches such as advocacy, healthy living advertisement, and patient training are important in enhancing healthy choices.
Statement of the problem with PICOT Question Proposed
Women are prone to be affected by cardiovascular diseases compared to their counterparts. The awareness rate from 2019 and 2022 is a 12% increase showing a great trend in awareness (CDC, 2022). However, the mortality rate is alarming, considering there was a steep increase in deaths from 210,420 to 314,186, showing an increase in mortality (CDC, 2022). Black women are more prone to heart diseases, followed by Hispanics, Latinos, south Asians, and Native Americans (CDC, 2022). (Cedars Sinai, 2022). All these factors indicate that issues promoting heart disease are numerous, and women are mostly affected, supporting the PICOT question.
Information gaps increase the prevalence of CVDs, especially among minority populations. Heart disease incidence varies significantly by ethnicity, with Black, Hispanic, and Asian women being more vulnerable than any other group (Cushman et al., 2021). Social determinants of health, such as access to healthcare, limited awareness, and availability of cardiovascular risk factor training, cause disparities in cardiovascular health (Cushman et al., 2021). Issues with training or awareness deficits make women more disadvantaged and vulnerable.
Risk Factors Associated with Heart Diseases Among Women
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and a family history of heart disease are the common risk factors associated with heart diseases among women. High blood pressure can cause the heart to work harder, leading to a weakened heart muscle over time. High cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to blockage. Diabetes can cause the body to have too much sugar in the blood, damaging the heart and blood vessels. Obesity can cause extra strain on the heart, making it work harder (Mehta et al.,2022). Smoking can lead to reduced oxygen levels in the blood, which can lead to heart failure. Lastly, a family history of heart disease can increase a woman’s risk of developing heart disease due to possible shared genetic factors.
Interventions/Implementations
Non-traditional risks of heart diseases are often overlooked or ignored, yet they can be major contributors to the development of heart diseases. Pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, can increase the risk of heart disease later in life. Hypertension, both primary and secondary, is a major contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease (GoRed, 2023). Psychosocial stress and depression can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (Mehta et al.,2022). Low estrogen levels in women due to menopause or other factors, can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, can also contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Raising awareness of heart diseases among women involves using strategies such as optimizing prevention and clinical care, conducting research, engaging with the community, advocating for better heart health, and monitoring progress. These strategies aim to educate women about the risks of heart disease and provide them with the resources to reduce this risk (Wenger et al., 2020). Additionally, they ensure that women can access the best possible treatment and care when they become ill. By focusing on prevention, research, and community engagement, we can ensure that women can manage their cardiovascular health and reduce their risk of heart disease.
A brochure is an effective way to educate women about the risks of cardiovascular disease. Start by providing general information about heart health, including risk factors and warning signs. Include tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking (Mehta et al., 2022). Other issues, such as hypertension and diabetes, are usually ignored and can cause significant problems.
Relevant Nurse Theorists
The deliberate nursing theory examines the significance of perception validation. The reason is that the deliberate nursing theory emphasizes the importance of perception validation and creating awareness of health issues to promote health and well-being (Woodward, 2019).This theory encourages nurses to assess and validate patient perceptions to understand their health better and develop better educational programs that enhance understanding of specific illnesses, such as CVDs, signs and symptoms, preventative measures, and treatment options.
Literature Review
The American Heart Association study assesses women’s understanding of heart disease symptoms. The conclusion was that only 54% of women could correctly identify CVD symptoms. This is a 10% decrease from previous studies indicating that women are misinformed about the symptoms of heart disease (Harvard Health Publishing, 2017). Therefore, there is a need to create more awareness and education initiatives to increase women’s understanding of heart disease.
The paper presents the results of the American Heart Association National Survey, which examined ten-year differences in women’s awareness related to coronary heart disease. The results indicated that while knowledge and awareness of heart disease increased among women, there is still room for improvement in certain areas (Cushman et al., 2021). Furthermore, there are significant differences in awareness among women of different races and education levels. The authors conclude that more education and awareness programs are needed to ensure all women have access to the information they need to protect their heart health.
Women are at a greater risk for heart disease than men and it is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. (Harvard Health Publishing, 2017). Women should exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, quit smoking, and talk to their doctor about screening and treatments available to prevent heart disease (Lopez-Jimenez et al., 2022). In conclusion, women should be supported through training that enables them to realize the risk factors and ways to enhance their heart health.
Young black women risk developing cardiovascular disease more than other groups. Factors contributing to this risk include genetic predispositions, socioeconomic disparities, and non-traditional risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension (Kalinowski et al., 2019). Additionally, emotional stress and chronic conditions can increase their risk of cardiovascular disease. Interventions targeted to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in young black women should focus on health promotion, risk factor management, and reducing socioeconomic disparities.
The Cleveland Clinic has reported on how race and ethnicity can affect a person’s risk of developing heart disease. African American, Native American, and Latino/Hispanic people are more likely to experience cardiac problems than Caucasian people. African Americans have higher rates of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure than other groups (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Native Americans are more likely to have diabetes, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. Latinos/Hispanics may be more likely to have high-risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity. It is important to be aware of the differences in the risk of heart disease between various racial and ethnic groups and to take steps to reduce the chances of developing conditions.
Recommendations for Change
The recommendations for change include creating an elaborate system for community education, promoting research to uncover gaps such as the rate of awareness and health status, sponsored campaigns and advocacy for underserved communities. The elaborate system for community education should provide access to health information and resources (Isiadinso et al., 2022). At the same time, the research should analyze these communities’ health status and identify areas needing improvement. Finally, advocating for underserved communities will help ensure they are given equal access to healthcare and have their voices heard.
Overall Practicum Experience
The practicum experience was both enlightening and rewarding experience for discovery. One of the discoveries made during the practicum was that women are a vulnerable population, mostly affected by diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, but also by infectious and neglected tropical diseases (Kouvari et al., 2021). The lack of information about these diseases is a major contributor to their prevalence. Nursing educators should, therefore, consider designing and implementing training programs that provide women with information about the diseases and ways to prevent them (Lewsey & Breathett, 2021). Such training could go a long way in empowering women, giving them the necessary tools to maintain wellness.
Conclusion
CDVs are among the leading causes of death among women and are a problem that needs to be addressed. Women are more significantly affected than men due to lifestyle issues such as obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity. Most women are unaware of the signs, symptoms, prevention measures, and treatment options for CDVs. Therefore, educational campaigns tailored to helping women with CDVs are necessary to help them make better health choices. By providing better education and resources, we can help reduce the mortality rate among women from CDVs and improve their overall health and well-being.
References
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CDC. (2022). Women and heart disease. Web.
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Cushman, M., Shay, C. M., Howard, V. J., Jiménez, M. C., Lewey, J., McSweeney, J. C. (2021). Ten-year differences in women’s awareness related to coronary heart disease: Results of the 2019 American Heart Association National Survey: A special report from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 143(7), e239-e248. Web.
GoRed. (2023). Heart Disease and Stroke in Black Women. Web.
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