Gender differences in presenting symptoms, treatment, and outcome in myocardial infarction

The purposes of this study were to compare the presenting symptoms, treatment, and outcome between men and women with MI. The study sample consisted of 300 patients (N = 300) who were diagnosed with MI in a county hospital in the Southwest area of the United States. Chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and left arm pain were the most common symptoms reported by both genders. Men had more chest pain than their women counterparts (p = .022). No significant difference was found in the cardiac enzyme levels between both genders. Men had more Q wave changes during MI than women (p = .019). Women suffer MI two and a half years later than men (p = .004). Oxygen, nitrates, morphine sulfate, and heparin were the most common treatments given to men and women. Men received more morphine sulfate (p = .013) and betablockers (p = .011) than women in the emergency department. No significant difference was found in the coronary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures or outcome between both genders

Measuring enjoyment of ballroom dancing in Filipino Americans using the physical activity enjoyment scale

To advance knowledge about ways to promote physical activity in Filipino Americans, this feasibility study evaluated whether they enjoyed ballroom dancing and at the same time tested the validity of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) for assessing enjoyment in this population. This study consisted of a single group of healthy Filipino Americans (N = 41) aged between 35 and 65 years residing in southern Nevada. Participants danced 45 min per week for 12 weeks and completed the PACES questionnaire to measure enjoyment at two time points (Week 4 and Week 12). Four participants dropped out during Weeks 2 to 5. Thirty-seven participants completed the 12 consecutive dance sessions. Descriptive statistics, paired- sample t test, Pearson correlation, and a mixed-model ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Principal components analysis assessed the construct validity of the PACES. The mean age of the sample was 50.7 years. On average, the participants’ PACES score significantly improved from Week 4 to Week 12. Age was negatively correlated with perceived enjoyment of dancing. In terms of the validity and reliability of the PACES, high construct validity and internal consistency of the PACES were noted. This study described the effectiveness of ballroom dance as a form of physical activity among first-generation Filipino Americans and confirmed the appropriateness of the PACES for assessing enjoyment in this population. Ballroom dance has the potential to promote physical activity and improve the cardiovascular outcomes of Filipino Americans and other populations who are at risk of heart disease

Concept analysis of risk in relation to coronary heart disease among Filipino-Americans

PURPOSE.  To analyze the concept of risk in relation to coronary heart disease (CHD) among Filipino-Americans (FAs) and provide a new definition of risk. SOURCE.  Published literature. CONCLUSION.  This concept analysis provided a new meaning of risk in relation to CHD among FAs and shed light on further understanding of risk. Risk has been laced with negativity in health care, but based on the current literature, risk can be conceptualized in a positive perspective, especially in the area of chronic health disease such as CHD. However, further research is needed in the conceptualization of risk related to CHD for consistency, adequacy, and meaning

The Impact of tai chi exercise on CHD: A systematic review

Purpose: (a) To explore current studies on Tai Chi and its impact on coronary heart disease (CHD), (b) provide critique of existing studies, and (c) provide recommendations for clinical practice and future research. Data sources: Comprehensive review of literature. Conclusions: Tai Chi is a safe alternative exercise for patients who are at risk of CHD or with existing CHD. Implementing Tai Chi exercise may improve serum lipids, blood pressure, and heart rate. Implications for practice: Nurse practitioners (NPs) are in an ideal position to facilitate health promotion and disease prevention. NPs may prescribe Tai Chi as an alternative exercise therapy for their patients who are at risk for developing CHD and even for those with existing CHD. Tai Chi exercise may help prevent and even reverse the progression of cardiac disease

CHD knowledge and risk factors among Filipino-Americans connected to primary care services

Problem: Despite growing numbers of FAs in the U.S. and high CHD prevalence, only limited studies are available in the the literature. Contributing factors? Lack of knowledge Sociodemographic (SD)/Socioeconomic (SE) variable

Coronary Heart Disease Knowledge and Risk Factors Among Filipino-Americans Connected to Primary Care Services

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death of Filipino-Americans (FAs). Despite the growing numbers of FAs in the United States, little is known about their CHD knowledge and risk factors. The purposes of this study were to examine the baseline knowledge and risk factors of CHD among FAs and to describe the relationships between knowledge, sociodemographic, and socioeconomic characteristic variables of FAs between the ages of 35-75 years. The study sample consisted of 120 FAs (N = 120) who were connected to primary care services. Data were collected from three primary care clinics in Las Vegas, Nevada between the months of May and July, 2010. Participants completed the Demographics and the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ) forms on CHD knowledge and CHD risk factors. Descriptive statistics, item response frequencies, and t-tests revealed most Fas were knowledgeable about CHD. The mean CHD knowledge scores of the sample was 15.8 (SD = 4.26) out of the 21 CHD knowledge total score points. When knowledge scores were compared between men and women, women had higher CHD knowledge scores than men (t = 2.438, p = .016). Descriptive statistics and item response frequencies also revealed FAs were at an increased risk of CHD. Many of them had CHD risk factors: Lack of exercise (65.8%), hypertension (50%), dyslipidemia (36.7%), abdominal adiposity (27.5%), Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (25%), overweight (22.5%), and smoking (10%). Gender, education, and income were significantly correlated with CHD knowledge, however, gender (b = .190, t = 2.21, p = .029) and education (b = .256, t =2.85, p = .005) were the best predictors of CHD knowledge. CHD risk factors are highly prevalent among FAs. Implications for practice should focus on primary and secondary preventions. Further research is warranted to explore the impact of health behavior, culture, sociodemographic/socioeconomic factors on CHD

Management of an Adult Patient with Congenital Heart Disease: Implications for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

The health care environment in the United States heralds changing population demographics, presenting challenges for modern health care systems. The most remarkable impetus for prodigious medical luminary attention is the expanding growth of aging adults in the population. Individuals born with congenital heart disease (CHD) are a subset of this demographic evolution reflecting current health care trends. Where historically limited prognoses underscored the expansion and quality of life for individuals born with CHD, current technological advancements now pave the road to lengthy existence for these individuals, creating an aging population of patients with CHD needing access to health care. The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is called on to fill gaps in health care access issues and should be prepared to serve this population

Measuring enjoyment of ballroom dancing in Filipino Americans using the physical activity enjoyment scale

To advance knowledge about ways to promote physical activity in Filipino Americans, this feasibility study evaluated whether they enjoyed ballroom dancing and at the same time tested the validity of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) for assessing enjoyment in this population. This study consisted of a single group of healthy Filipino Americans (N = 41) aged between 35 and 65 years residing in southern Nevada. Participants danced 45 min per week for 12 weeks and completed the PACES questionnaire to measure enjoyment at two time points (Week 4 and Week 12). Four participants dropped out during Weeks 2 to 5. Thirty-seven participants completed the 12 consecutive dance sessions. Descriptive statistics, paired- sample t test, Pearson correlation, and a mixed-model ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Principal components analysis assessed the construct validity of the PACES. The mean age of the sample was 50.7 years. On average, the participants’ PACES score significantly improved from Week 4 to Week 12. Age was negatively correlated with perceived enjoyment of dancing. In terms of the validity and reliability of the PACES, high construct validity and internal consistency of the PACES were noted. This study described the effectiveness of ballroom dance as a form of physical activity among first-generation Filipino Americans and confirmed the appropriateness of the PACES for assessing enjoyment in this population. Ballroom dance has the potential to promote physical activity and improve the cardiovascular outcomes of Filipino Americans and other populations who are at risk of heart disease