Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders

Abstract

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the most common as well as the most important diseases of man. There has been a huge increase in the incidence of these diseases, largely the result of the fact that the span of life has been increased by public health measures. Many more people than ever before live long enough to develop arteriosclerosis and hypertension and the heart disease which so frequently follows. This situation in a way provides a new problem because these diseases tend to be chronic to a large extent. The patients undergo a long period of partial or complete disability, requiring a great deal of medical and nursing skill and attention. Because of its chronic character and high incidence, medical care is often placed largely in the hands of the nurse with less than average supervision by the physician. Thus the role of the nurse and her understanding of the treatment of this illness—the biggest and broadest problem in medicine today—has become more important than ever.