Cardiovascular nurses are influential healthcare providers who provide patient education
and counseling on cardiovascular risk factor reduction and positive lifestyle habits (Fair et al.,
2009). However, nurses may not always engage in the appropriate level of physical activity
central to decreasing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and related other health conditions
(Priano et al., 2018; Wilkerson et al., 2019). This cross-sectional quantitative study investigated
cardiovascular nurses’ relationships and differences of CVD to self-reported knowledge of CVD,
intentions to change behavior, and perceived benefits of physical activity to their exercise habits
and individual characteristics. The possibility that nurses recommended physical activity to their
patients based on the relationship of the health belief factors was also explored. An online survey
was distributed through social media platforms emphasizing a convenience sample of full-time,
part-time, and PRN nurses working in various United States cardiac units. The final sample size
consisted of 62 participants. Results showed that 26% of nurses who participated met the criteria
for high risk of CVD. There were no significant differences between those at low risk of CVD
and those at high risk of CVD on knowledge about cardiovascular disease and benefits and
intentions to change behavior based on the ABCD Risk Questionnaire. Additionally, there were
no differences in perceived barriers to exercise and current exercise habits. Only 8 out of 62
nurses met the recommended weekly physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate
physical activity. Nurses with higher knowledge scores and higher scores on the BBAQ Lack of
Skill questionnaire were more likely to recommend physical activity to patients; however, this
was not statistically significant. Cardiovascular nurses are critical in patient care, education, and
prevention. The health of cardiovascular nurses is just as important as the health of their patients.
In this sample, no significant differences were found between risk factor groups concerning CVD knowledge, intentions to change behavior, barriers to exercise, and current activity habits.
However, nurses with 6-10 years of experience scored higher on the ABCD Knowledge subscale
and the BBAQ Lack of Skill tended to recommend exercise to patients. Nurses need to take
accountability for their health through positive lifestyle habits to become better role models for patients and increase their effectiveness in health counseling, particularly by encouraging regular
physical activity.
Keywords: Cardiovascular nurses, Cardiovascular risk factors, barriers to exercise,
physical activity