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Assessing cardiovascular risk in patients with severe mental illness
Authors: Sheila Hardy | Richard Gray
Date: July 2012
Journal: Nursing Standard
Issue: Volume 26, Number 45
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, primary and secondary care, risk assessment, screening, severe mental illness
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term mainly used to describe disorders affecting the heart and/or the arteries and veins that are associated with atherosclerosis (the build up of fatty deposits and debris inside blood vessels). CVDs, such as coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease, are long-term conditions, but acute events such as myocardial infarction can occur suddenly when a vessel supplying blood to the heart or brain becomes blocked or ruptures. Lifestyle factors and the side effects of antipsychotic medication result in a high incidence of CVD in people with severe mental illness. This article explores how nurses in primary and secondary care can identify CVD risk factors and help patients reduce these risks.
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The RCN Publishing Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal College of Nursing, the world's largest organisation for nurses. RCN Publishing produces one weekly, eight monthly and two quarterly nursing publications. Nursing Standard, the flagship journal, is the UK's biggest selling weekly for nursing. It is produced by RCN Publishing Company along with a suite of specialist nursing journals - Cancer Nursing Practice, Mental Health Practice, Learning Disability Practice, Nursing Children and Young People, Nursing Management, Emergency Nurse, Nursing Older People, Nurse Researcher and Primary Health Care. RCN Publishing Company also produce the RCN Bulletin, a major source of up-to-the-minute information for RCN members in all specialities, grades and working environments. With the latest nurse vacancies from trusts nationwide, it has become the most cost-effective nurse recruitment magazine available.