“Differentiate Primary 

and Secondary Cardiac Prevention and the Nurses role"

Katherine Mariel Medina

105213227

CNC 202: Cardiac Rehabilitation

Professor Dafina Ademi

February 22, 2023

 “Differentiate Primary and Secondary Cardiac Prevention and the Nurses role"

One of the most important factors that can be considered when it comes to the prevention

of CVD is the availability of effective secondary and primary prevention strategies. The

importance of both the primary and the secondary prevention of CVD cannot be underestimated.

Since CVD is a prevalent condition, preventing even a small number of cases would greatly

reduce the number of deaths and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs (Gaziano J. et Al.,

2004) . Preventive measures can help lower the risk of developing CVD, and they can also

prevent other conditions such as stroke and diabetes. Due to the increasing number of cases of

cardiovascular diseases, it is important that the availability of effective preventive measures is

made widely available in both developing and developed countries (Hobbs FD., 2004) .

One of the most effective secondary prevention strategies is the use of comprehensive

risk factors modification. The guidelines for treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) emphasize

that the most important group who can benefit from treatment is those who are at high risk of

developing CHD. These include individuals who have previously suffered a heart attack, have

been diagnosed with a condition that affects one of the arteries, or have received a coronary

revascularization procedure. These individuals are also eligible for various secondary prevention

measures, which can help lower their risk of experiencing repeat events or death. The guidelines

additionally provide targets for treating these conditions ( Scott L. et Al.,2010).

For individuals at high risk of developing CVD, primary intervention provide a similar

treatment approach as those suggested in secondary prevention. However, the biggest difference

between these two approaches is how they determine who should be given treatment. Primary

care is the place where the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is carried out. This is
because the whole population is at risk. Also, the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

(CVD) starts with childhood. This includes the reduction of known risk factors and the

promotion of healthy lifestyles. In addition, preventive medicine goes beyond childhood

development and focuses on preserving risk-free societies. This concept addresses the

environmental and societal conditions that can promote the development of CVD (Hobbs FD.,

2004) .

The primary prevention measure is the education that individuals can receive to help

prevent a condition from developing. This type of prevention is carried out through the

involvement of nurses in providing education and counseling to populations that are encouraged

to make positive lifestyle changes. Programs that are designed to prevent illnesses and injuries

are also carried out by nurses. They can help patients avoid costly treatments and procedures by

providing vaccinations and seat belts (Hayman L. et Al., 2015).

Through secondary prevention, nurses can identify individuals who are at high risk for

developing a disease through regular checkups and screenings. They then work with these

patients to manage their conditions and reduce their risks. Early detection methods can help

catch the disease at its earliest stages. Preventive health care nurses commonly carry out regular

screenings, which can help decrease the chances of developing a certain illness (Hayman L. et

Al., 2015) .

Advanced practice nurses and nurses have been known to play a vital role in managing

various risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. They can also help

individuals with chronic conditions such as heart failure and coronary artery disease through

programs and clinics. Nurses can play a vital role in managing the various risk factors associated
with cardiovascular disease by providing case management. They can also help individuals

follow treatment protocols and reduce their hospitalizations and morbidity (Hayman L. et Al.,

2015).
 References

Gaziano J, Manson J. & Ridker M. Primary and Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart

Disease. 2004 July 7. https://learn-us-east-1-prod-fleet02-

xythos.content.blackboardcdn.com

Hayman L, Berra K, Fletcher B, et al. The Role of Nurses in Promoting Cardiovascular Health

Worldwide. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015 Aug, 66 (7) 864–866.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.06.1319

Hobbs FD. Cardiovascular disease: different strategies for primary and secondary prevention?

Heart. 2004 Oct;90(10):1217-23. doi: 10.1136/hrt.2003.027680. PMID: 15367530;

PMCID: PMC1768505.

Scott L., Hall, MD. & Todd L, MD. Secondary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease. 2010 Feb

1. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2010/0201/p289.html