Essential knowledge for self-care in cardiovascular rehabilitation: an integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15343/0104-7809.202650e20032026IKeywords:
Cardiology, Cardiovascular Nursing, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Self-Care, Health LiteracyAbstract
Self-care in cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) is an essential factor for promoting patient autonomy and is strongly influenced by the level of knowledge that patients possess. This study aimed to identify the essential self-care knowledge addressed by nursing in the context of CR. This is an integrative review conducted between April and September 2024, in six stages. Data collection was performed across five databases by two independent researchers. A total of 146 studies were selected, derived from research conducted in 42 different countries. The cardiovascular conditions most frequently addressed in the studies were heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and coronary artery disease. Among the identified categories of essential knowledge are: health status self-monitoring; understanding of CR and one’s own disease; supervised and unsupervised physical exercise; healthy diet; and understanding of the need for family, social, and professional support. The collected information may support the development of educational technologies or clinical approaches for the promotion of self-care in CR from a nursing perspective.
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