Question:
Discuss About The Cardiac Rehabilitation Health Quality Life?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program for patients with cardiac health needs. The rehabilitation involves the adoption of heart healthy changes to address cardiovascular diseases. In order to help in the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, the program emphases on exercises, heart-health education, and counseling to decrease stress and to help the patients adopt an active life. Cardiac rehabilitation enhances health and quality of life, which reduces the need of drugs to treat heart complications (Anderson & Taylor, 2014). The program is provided in either a hospital rehab or outpatient clinic by a rehab team which comprises of nurses, doctors, nutritionists, dietitians, and exercise specialists. The major benefit of cardiac rehabilitation is that, it has minimal risks. For instance, rarely does the exercises done during cardiac rehabilitation cause injury to the muscles and bones or severe heart rhythm. Similarly, cardiac rehab has been proven to reduce mortality, relief symptoms, enhanced exercise tolerance, and the overall psychological health (Ingle & Carroll, 2017). The aim of this essay is to discuss the importance of cardiac rehabilitation for patients with cardiac health needs and the role and the responsibilities of nurses in cardiac rehabilitation. All this will be supported by relevant references.
Cardiac patients require counseling and health education on how to accept and manage their health condition (Rasmusson, Flattery & Baas, 2015). They need to accept so that they can be in a position to utilize the potential left in them to make constructive adaptations and lead a positive life. The health education provided would enable them to maintain self-care even when at home (Pulvirenti, McMillan & Lawn, 2014). This kind of education ought to revolve around self-monitoring, diet and lifestyle modification, self-administration of medications and follow-ups on treatment. Furthermore, they need emotional support to boost their ability to live with their condition by having access to peer support and a counselor (Clement, Painter & Shaffer, 2016).
The patient needs to be informed on important aspects regarding self-monitoring. For instance, they should be made aware that heart failure brings about slow blood circulation, low systemic output and hypoxia. This may cause dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, feeling light headed and general weakness. If these symptoms intensify, the patient should be advised to report to a care facility near them (Riekert, Ockene, & Pbert, 2013). Additionally, cardiac patients need to refrain from any risky lifestyle behaviors such as tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, performing strenuous activities like sports and emotional upsets (Kelley & Morrison, 2015).
A cardiac patient needs to make modifications to their diet and comply with low salt consumption and fat free formulas. More emphasis should be put on foods rich in Vitamins such as fruits and vegetables that help boost the patient’s immunity (Kripalani, Theobald,Anctil, &Vasilevskis, 2014). Also, the patient should be given small servings of soft food so as to reduce mechanical digestion that increases the demand for energy and workload on a compromised metabolism. Caloric foods are recommended to act as an energy supplement (Turk, Sarrafzadegan & Grace, 2014).
The patient needs to modify their lifestyles and avoid activities and emotions that put a lot of workload on the heart. They need a caring and stress-free environment which promotes resting and consequently reduces the demand for oxygen. For instance, there should be minimal noise pollution so as to provide emotional rest. Moreover, there should be no air pollution as this would cause respiratory distress which can cause hypoxia (Lavie, Arena& Franklin, 2016). However, the patient could engage in a physical exercise program specifically tailored for their heart condition. Depending on the severity of the heart status, it should be supervised or self-managed. Some of the activities include strength training, aerobics and flexibility exercises (Ingle & Carroll, 2017).
Besides this, they require correct administration of oxygen therapy and medications. Medications need to be prescribed by a qualified physician and administered as per the prescription. Depending on the patient’s condition, oxygen could also be administered to ensure adequate saturation. However, caution should be observed to avoid oxygen overflow which could risk emphysema hyperinflation of the lungs (Menezes, Lavies, Forman, Arena, Milani & Frankiln, 2014).Furthermore, a cardiac patient needs to have their vital signs constantly monitored. These comprises of pulse patterns, blood pressure, body temperature, saturation and respiration. Changes should be noted, recorded, the care plan adjusted and abnormalities reported to the involved physician (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2015).
Cardiac rehabilitation helps a patient to boost their cardiovascular strength and endurance. It is considered to be life-saving to many people as it helps to avoid future cardiac events, heart problems and related deaths (Morton, Fontaine, Hudak& Gallo, 2017). Patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs have more chances of succeeding at controlling cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure. This is because these programs are very comprehensive and they focus on the patient while equipping them with information and tools required to make sustainable health changes (Grol, Wensing, Eccles & Davis, 2013). According to research, individuals who undergo cardiac rehabilitation have up to 30% fewer heart events. In comparison with people who get standard therapy exclusively, they are 25% less likely to die. They can also manage to reduce their chances of getting future heart attacks or heart surgeries (Dalal, Doherty & Taylor, 2015).
Additionally, cardiac rehab programs help in offering ways that lower stress in cardiac patients that could have been brought about by depression or anxiety. Recovery not only entails regaining one’s physical strength but it also involves getting back one’s mental and emotional well-being (Forman, Sanderson, Josephson & Raikhelkar, 2015). Cardiac rehabilitation gives one a more positive outlook on their recovery and this enhances physical, mental and emotional recovery. A comprehensive program includes some psychological assessment that helps to determine the patient’s current psychological condition and identify areas that need intervention. It could also provide education and support to assist in reducing the usual stress that comes with hospitalization and cardiac events (Clark, Redfern &Briffa, 2014).
Further, cardiac rehab entails physical exercise which lowers the patient’s risk of dying of a heart disease. It also helps to lower their blood pressure and improve their levels of cholesterol. Besides this, cardiac rehab exercise helps to maintain a healthy weight, control diabetes as well as making angina and heart failure symptoms less severe (Ponikowski, Anker, AlHabib, Cowie, Force, Hu &Samal, 2014). Exercise helps to improve a cardiac patient’s quality of life, muscle strength and endurance. It also assists to improve a sense of wellness since physical activity helps in alleviating anxiety, stress and depression. Instead, it helps a patient to focus on their emotional health and the benefits of being socially involved (Ades, Keteyian, Balady, Houston-Miller, Kitzman, Mancini & Rich, 2013).
Cardiac rehabilitation makes a patient and their caregivers to be aware of warning signs and symptoms that they need to be in the lookout for. Such may include new discomfort in the chest area, leg swelling, dizziness, indigestion or shortness of breath. With this awareness, a patient gets encouraged to present their concerns to a physician and get medical attention (Pandor, Gomersall, Stevens, Wang, Al-Mohammad & Wong, 2013).Lastly, it helps a patient to adhere to their treatment plans and take medications as prescribed by their physicians. Consequently, cardiac events are prevented (Anderson & Taylor, 2014).
A cardiac rehab nurse is one with the responsibility of taking care of individual or patients suffering from cardiovascular problems like heart diseases, cardiovascular disorder, coronary artery problems and many other health problems related to the cardiovascular system (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2015). The end of the cardiac rehabilitation nurse is to help cardiac patients to recover from their illness in order to regain and maintain maximum health and to avoid ay related complications (Rasmusson, Flattery & Baas, 2015). Discussed below in detail are some of the major roles of the cardiac rehab nurse.
Cardiac rehabilitation nurses have the duty and responsibility of providing medical care to cardiac patients before, during, and after any cardiac medical procedures, which can be coronary surgery, heart surgery, lung cancer, organ transplants or surgical procedures (Morton, Fontaine, Hudak& Gallo, 2017). Also, from a consultation point of view, cardiac rehabilitation nurses provide health advice to patients with cardiac needs in order to assist them develop and adopt proper health habits like exercise, which will enable them to optimize their lifestyle, thus, improving their quality of life (Turk-Adawi, Sarrafzadegan& Grace, 2014)
Cardiac rehabilitation nurses educate their patients on how to make dietary changes, reduce stressful events, get adequate exercises, maximize rest, and other health decisions that will enable the patients live healthy (Riekert, Ockene, & Pbert, 2013). In addition, cardiac rehabilitation nurses create treatment and care plans designed to meet the needs of the patients and to aid them in their recovery process (Anderson & Taylor, 2014). In addition, cardiac rehabilitation nurses have the duty and responsibility of preventing patients from undergoing cardiac surgery or any other invasive medical surgery. The nurses can achieve this responsibility by providing their patients with adequate education and proper healthcare planning (Forman, Sanderson, Josephson & Raikhelkar, 2015).
In the case where the patient requires advanced medical care, cardiac rehab nurses have the duty of working with the patients within a healthcare setting or medical facility where they can be given additional medical attention (Rasmusson, Flattery & Baas, 2015). In this case, when the nurses are working with patients who need medical attention at a healthcare facility or hospital, cardiac rehab nurses have the duty and responsibility to monitor the patient’s vital signs, administer drugs, assist with the rehab programs, record the patient’s recovery progress, and to perform other health duties associated with cardiac care (Riekert, Ockene, & Pbert, 2013). Additionally, cardiac rehab nurses work in diverse healthcare setting like specialty clinics, hospitals, and cardiac rehab centers among others (Riekert, Ockene, & Pbert, 2013). Given the fact that heart diseases and cardiovascular problems are prevalent among the older population, cardiac rehab nurses work with the elderly patients in care homes where they require additional medical care. In this case, the rehabilitation nurses work with elderly patients where they give them individualized care with an aim of meeting their health needs (Turk-Adawi, Sarrafzadegan& Grace, 2014).
Cardiac rehabilitation nurses work with other rehabilitation experts to assist in the treatment of patient suffering, recovering, or who at risk of cardiovascular diseases (Riekert, Ockene, & Pbert, 2013). In this case, the duty of the nurse will range from helping these patients with medication and also during cardiovascular medical procedures. In addition, a cardiac rehab nurse is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and testing the patient. For instance, these nurses assist during patient stress test and in monitoring the patient vital signs like heart rhythm, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, respiratory rates, and blood pressure (Rasmusson, Flattery & Baas, 2015).
One of the ideal ways to curb cardiovascular diseases is through making changes in the lifestyle (Riekert, Ockene, & Pbert, 2013). Cardiac rehabilitation nurses have the duty and responsibility to help the patients under their care make this lifestyle changes in order to prolong their live. The nurses can assist the patients with tasks like reducing stress, quitting smoking, and developing an active life. In addition, the nurses will assist the patient and the patient families with meal planning and health advice on how to ensure healthy eating and how to manage their weight (Turk-Adawi, Sarrafzadegan& Grace, 2014).
The essay has discussed the importance of cardiac rehabilitation on patients with cardiac health needs. The essay has also discussed the roles of the cardiac rehab nurse. In this case, it is notable that, cardiac rehabilitation is a program meant for patients having cardiac problems. The program can be held in hospitals or in care settings where rehabilitation professionals like doctors, dietitians, nurses, nutritionists, and exercise specialists work together to enhance the health of cardiac patients. Cardiac rehabilitation focuses on a healthy lifestyle, which entails, a reduction in stress, proper eating habits, heart health education, and exercise. The importance of cardiac rehabilitation is that, minimal risks are involved, it has a considerable reduces mortality, and a general improvement of the quality of life. Cardiac rehabilitation nurses play a significant role in ensuring these positive outcomes. For instance, the nurses have the responsibility of taking care of patients suffering from cardiovascular disorder, heart diseases, and coronary artery complications (Ponikowski, Anker, AlHabib, Cowie, Force, Hu &Samal, 2014). In this case, the major focus of the cardiac rehabilitation nurses is to help patients with cardiac complications. Therefore, with cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac health patients attain maximum health, which enables them live a fulfilling life.
References
Ades, P. A., Keteyian, S. J., Balady, G. J., Houston-Miller, N., Kitzman, D. W., Mancini, D. M., & Rich M. W. (2013). Cardiac rehabilitation exercise and self-care for chronic heart failure. JACC: Heart failure, 1(6), 540-547.
Anderson, L. J., & Taylor, R. S. (2014). Cardiac rehabilitation for people with heart disease: and overview of Cochrane systematic reviews. International journal of cardiology, 177(2), 348-361.
Clark, A. M., Redfern, J., &Briffa, T. (2014). Cardiac rehabilitation: fit to face the future?
Clement, L., Painter, Q., & Shaffer, J. A. (2016). Meeting the Unmet Needs of Aging Heart Failure Patients: A Role for Palliative Care. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports, 10(11), 35.
Dalal, H. M., Doherty, P., & Taylor, R. S. (2015). Cardiac rehabilitation. bmj, 351, h5000.
Forman, D. E., Sanderson, B. K., Josephson, R. A., Raikhelkar, J., Bittner, V., & America College of Cardiology. (2015). Heart Failure as Newly Approved Diagnosis for Cardiac Rehabilitation. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 65(24), 2652-2659.
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Ignatavicius, D. D., & Workman, M. L. (2015). Medical-Surgical Nursing-E-Book: Patient-Centered Collaborative Care. Elsevier Health Sciences.1(3) 56
Ingle, L., & Carroll, S. (2017). Cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training. 3(5) 67- 78
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Kripalani, S., Theobald, C. N., Anctil, B., &Vasilevskis, E. E. (2014). Reducing hospital readmission rates: current strategies and future directions. Annual review of medicine, 65, 471-485.
Lavie, C. J., Arena, R., & Franklin, B. A. (2016). Cardiac Rehabilitation and healthy life-style interventions 4(12) 56- 67
Menezes, A. R., Lavies, C. J., Forman, D. E., Arena, R., Milani, R. V., &Frankiln, B. A. (2014). Cardiac rehabilitation in the elderly. Progress in cardiovascular diseases, 57(2), 152-159.
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Pandor, A., Gomersall, T., Stevens, J. W., Wang, J., Al-Mohammad, A., & Wong, R. (2013). Remote monitoring after recent hospital discharge in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Heart, 99(23), 1717-1726.
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Pulvirenti, M., McMillan, J, J., & Lawn, S. (2014). Empowerment, patient centered care and self-management. Health Expectations, 17(3), 303-310.
Rasmusson, K., Flattery, M., & Baas, L. S. (2015). American Association of Heart Failure Nurses position paper on educating patients with heart failure. Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 44(2), 173-177.
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Turk-Adawi, K., Sarrafzadegan, N., & Grace, S L. (2014). Global availability of cardiac rehabilitation. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 11(10), 586-596.
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