Effects of Antioxidants on Oxidative Stress in Adult Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: Oxidative stress (OS) accelerates the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) by contributing to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Current research indicates that antioxidants can mitigate OS by reducing the production of free radicals. Despite many studies that have tested the effects of antioxidants on oxidative stress in patients with CAD, the literature still lacks an updated and comprehensive systematic review.

Multidimensional Determinants of Functional Status in Patients with Heart Failure.

Introduction: Functional status is a predictor of rehospitalization and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). The purpose of this study was to test the variables in the Multidimensional Model of Functional Status (MMFS) as determinants of functional status.

Methods: Using structural equation modelling, we analysed data from 520 patients with HF to determine the best multivariate model of functional status.

Self-Care, Perceived Social Support, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background: Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and inadequate social support are predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons with heart failure, but the prediction of HRQoL is multifaceted, and mechanisms underlying association are unknown. Self-care maintenance may moderate associations among these predictors, which is essential to better heart failure outcomes.

Objectives: To determine whether self-care maintenance moderates the direct and indirect effects of social support on HRQoL through psychological status (i.

Psychometric Testing of the Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patient Assets, Risks, and Experiences (PRAPARE) in Patients With Heart Failure and Coronary Heart Disease.

The social determinants of health (SDOH) have been recognized as an important contributor to an individual's health status. A valid and reliable instrument is needed for researchers and clinicians to measure SDOH. However, there is considerable variability in the screening methodologies, as well as a lack of standardization in definitions and methods for capturing and reporting SDOH data for both electronic health record software vendors and national experts on SDOH.

Association of depressive symptoms and engagement in physical activity with event-free survival in patients with heart failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) subtype, depressive symptoms, and physical inactivity independently contribute to survival outcomes, but the effect of the interaction of these variables on survival outcomes remains unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether depressive symptoms and engagement in physical activity differentially interact to predict the combined endpoint of all-cause death or rehospitalization among patients with HF and reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis.

Protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial of gentle yoga in older patients discharged from phase II cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is essential following an acute cardiac event. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is commonly prescribed, and PA after CR is recommended. Because of age-related changes in functional ability and multi-comorbidity, many older cardiac patients struggle to continue performing PA at home after CR.

The relationship of health activation with risk of future cardiovascular disease among rural family caregivers of patients with chronic illnesses.

Background: Family caregivers are at higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) than non-caregivers. This risk is worse for those who live in rural compared to urban areas. Health activation, an indicator of engagement in self-care, is predictive of health outcomes and CVD risk in several populations.

Diet Quality Mediates the Relationship Between Chronic Stress and Inflammation in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Chronic stress is associated with promotion of inflammation and development of metabolic syndrome, as well as deterioration of diet quality. Inflammation can be modified by changes in dietary intake.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that diet quality mediates the relationship of chronic stress with inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Examining Food Security, Choices and Barriers among Community Supported Agriculture participants during COVID- 19 in Kentucky.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is challenging food security. Our study's purpose was to examine relationships among food security status, eating patterns and perceived barriers to food choices among shareholders (N= 209) in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program during stay-at-home restrictions due to the pandemic. The food insecure group (n= 33) reported lower consumption of fruits/vegetables, whole grains and greater consumption of fast foods and more barriers to food choices compared to the food secure group (p<.

Impact of Diabetes Self-Management Education on A1C Levels Among Black/African Americans: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the impact of diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs on A1C levels of Black/African American adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Authors followed PRISMA guidelines and searched PubMed and CINAHL databases to identify articles published from 2000 to date. The primary outcome was A1C and participation in a DSME program among Black/African Americans with diabetes.

Psychometric Properties of the Patient Activation Measure in Family Caregivers of Patients With Chronic Illnesses.

Background: The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) is used clinically and in research to measure an individual's knowledge, skills, and confidence related to their health management engagement. Despite the use of "patient" in the title, the instrument can be used in nonpatient populations. A group at high risk for low activation concerning their own health is family caregivers of patients with chronic illnesses.

Age- and sex-matched comparison of diet quality in patients with heart failure to similarly aged healthy older adults.

The aims of this study were to (1) compare diet quality between patients with heart failure (HF) and age- and sex-matched community-dwelling healthy older adults and (2) determine whether having HF was associated with a lower Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) score and risk of micronutrient deficiency. The HEI-2015 and macro- and micronutrient intakes of patients with HF were compared with healthy older adults ( 102; 55-92 years old; 53 % female). A paired -test or Wilcoxon singed-rank test, McNemar's test, and conditional logistic regression were used to assess the association between diet quality and HF status.

Changes in physical activity during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic response limited access to many traditional forms of physical activity (PA). Purpose:To assess changes in objectively measured PAofUniversity staff during the initial stageofthe COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We implemented a repeated measures natural experiment design.

Strengthening the impact of Doctor of Nursing Practice projects in education and clinical practice.

The significance and value of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) projects can be potentiated by collaboration between educators and practice leaders and when students build on previous DNP projects, as demonstrated in this article. Projects can have a longstanding financial, quality, and outcome impact, helping demonstrate the worth and efficacy of the DNP degree.

Older and younger patients' perceptions, evaluations, and responses to worsening heart failure symptoms.

Background: Whether recognition and prompt response to worsening symptoms are worse in older compared with younger patients with heart failure (HF) is unclear.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare older and younger patients (1) perceptions, evaluations, and responses to worsening HF symptoms, and (2) responses once worsening symptoms were perceived.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted and to compare data between older (≥ 65) and younger (< 65) in 185 patients hospitalized with HF.

Association of psychological distress with reasons for delay in seeking medical care in rural patients with worsening heart failure symptoms.

Background: The impact of depressive symptoms and anxiety on rural patients' decisions to seek care for worsening heart failure (HF) symptoms remains unknown. The purposes of this study were (1) to describe rural patients' reasons for delay in seeking care for HF, and (2) to determine whether depressive symptoms or anxiety was associated with patients' reasons for delay in seeking medical care for worsening symptoms.

Methods: A total of 611 rural HF patients were included.

Profile of informal rural Appalachian caregivers of patients with chronic illnesses.

Purpose: Caring for a family member with chronic illness increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by 82%, and rurality imparts additional CVD disparities. The purpose of this study was to describe a profile of rural caregivers of patients with chronic illnesses to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors, and psychosocial and socioeconomic burden, as well as to compare these variables across gender.

Methods: Baseline data from a trial of CVD risk reduction in rural caregivers of patients with chronic illnesses were used.

Hostility predicts mortality but not recurrent acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Hostility is associated with greater risk for cardiac disease, cardiac events and dysrhythmias. Investigators have reported equivocal findings regarding the association of hostility with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) recurrence and mortality. Given mixed results on the relationship between hostility and cardiovascular outcomes, further research is critical.

Delay in seeking medical care for worsening heart failure symptoms: predictors and association with cardiac events.

Aims: The association of delay in seeking medical care to subsequent cardiac events remains unknown in patients with worsening heart failure (HF) symptoms. The aims of this study were to (i) identify factors predicting care-seeking delay and (ii) examine the impact of care-seeking delay on subsequent cardiac rehospitalization or death.

Methods And Results: We studied 153 patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of HF.

Nurse-Led Positive Psychology Intervention Is Feasible in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background: Negative psychological states have been linked with poor cardiovascular outcomes, including heart failure (HF). Positive psychological states have been associated with superior outcomes, with little focus on interventions designed to increase positive psychological states in patients with HF.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the acceptability and feasibility of a nurse-led positive psychology intervention.

Perceived Control Predicts Symptom Status in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background: Symptom status is an important indicator of disease progression in patients with heart failure (HF). Perceived control is a target of most self-care interventions and is associated with better outcomes in HF; however, little is known about the relationship between perceived control and symptom status in patients with HF.

Objective: The aims of this study were to (1) determine the relationship of perceived control to HF symptom status and (2) examine the associations of perceived control to self-care and of self-care to symptom status.

Inflammatory properties of diet mediate the effect of depressive symptoms on Framingham risk score in men and women: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2014).

Depression is common in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated with inflammation. Inflammation contributes to the development of CVD and can be modulated by diet. However, the role of inflammatory properties of diet in the relationship between depressive symptoms and CVD risk is not well understood.

Predictors of Adherence to Self-Care in Rural Patients With Heart Failure.

Background: The common reality of not following a recommended course of treatment is a major cause of poor health outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of adherence to HF self-care recommendations in rural HF patients who received an intervention to promote symptom management and self-care.

Methods: Data from 349 rural HF patients (42% female, 90% Caucasian) randomized to the intervention arms of the study were used.

Factors Influencing Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Health Perception Among Kentuckians Living in Appalachia.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors for CVD are prevalent among Appalachians from Kentucky. Appalachian men and women have high rates of engagement in unhealthy behaviors and poor physical health measures that increase their risk for CVD.

Objective: In this study, the relationship among gender, CVD risk factors, and health perception in Appalachians from Kentucky was explored.