The role of nursing in enhancing the care of patients with cardiovascular diseases: Systematic review

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, imposing significant challenges on healthcare systems. Nurses play a vital role in the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of CVD patients, contributing to improved health outcomes and quality of care.Objective: This systematic review aims to explore the role of nursing in enhancing the care of patients with CVDs, focusing on evidence-based practices, challenges, and strategies for optimizing nursing interventions.Methods: A comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted, analyzing studies that examine nursing contributions to CVD prevention, acute and chronic disease management, and cardiac rehabilitation. The review also assessed the impact of nursing education, technological integration, and patient-centered care approaches on clinical outcomes.Results: The findings reveal that nurse-led interventions, including patient education, lifestyle counseling, telemonitoring, and participation in multidisciplinary teams, significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and enhance adherence to treatment plans. Nurse-managed cardiac rehabilitation programs are associated with reduced mortality and recurrent cardiac events. Despite these contributions, challenges such as resource limitations, high workloads, and training gaps hinder the effectiveness of nursing care.Conclusion: Nurses are integral to the care of CVD patients, offering a wide range of services that improve prevention, management, and recovery. Addressing barriers through policy support, continuous professional education, and integration of innovative technologies is essential for empowering the nursing workforce. Further research is needed to explore the scalability and long-term impact of nursing interventions in diverse and low-resource settings.