Since its inception, cardiac rehabilitation has been effective at reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, improving quality of life, and decreasing morbidity and mortality rates. While women benefit as much as men from the therapeutic effects of cardiac rehabilitation, a disparity exists between referral, participation, and completion rates between men and women. The intent of this thesis was to examine recent literature to determine if those disparities still exist, to identify barriers that prevent women from participating, and to determine the role of the nurse in the promotion of cardiac rehabilitation among women. Current literature reveals that women are often older, single, financially unstable, less physically active, and diagnosed with more co-morbidities at the time of their first cardiac event. Women often lack strong physician referral and support, education about cardiac rehabilitation programs, and motivation to attend programs. Evidence gathered from current literature suggests that gender is not the primary reason for the disparity between cardiac rehabilitation participation rates among men and women, but rather the disparity exist~ because of the characteristics of these older women at the time of their first cardiac event. The nurse is the vital component to increasing cardiac rehabilitation participation rates among women. The nurse must serve as a patient advocate- providing information and structure to the referral process, as an educator- teaching women the benefits and safety of cardiac rehabilitation, and as social support- providing women with encouragement and follow-up during a frightening and life-changing experience.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:honorstheses1990-2015-2086 |
| Date | 01 January 2010 |
| Creators | Morey, Melissa |
| Publisher | STARS |
| Source Sets | University of Central Florida |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | HIM 1990-2015 |
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