Nursing Commons^™

Screening Asymptomatic Women For Cardiovascular Risk, Kathryn Nelson-Murphy

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has long been recognized as a significant health problem in the U.S., and is the leading cause of preventable death in women, collectively causing about one death per minute (Caboral, 2013). A myriad of modifiable risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and type II diabetes are associated with 80-90% of CVD morbidity and mortality. Despite sobering statistics, valid risk prediction screening tools, and national preventive guidelines, adequate screening in clinical practice settings is sadly deficient. An evidence-based practice project was designed and implemented at a large OB/GYN practice in southern Ohio to address this identified gap …