Cardiovascular conditions

Abstract Cardiovascular disease is a growing, and significant, health condition. It is often associated with other long-term health disorders and affects a large proportion of the adult population. While much of cardiac care is carried out by advanced and specialist nurses, general adult nurses are likely to encounter people with cardiovascular conditions across acute, community, and end-of-life care settings. This chapter outlines key facts about cardiovascular disease which are likely to be relevant to the general nurse. These include an overview of cardiac conditions and their treatments, and a summary of associated clinical investigations. The chapter also includes a short section on key facts related to cardiovascular surgery. Important nursing considerations when working with people with cardiovascular conditions are outlined, and an overview of frequently prescribed medicines is presented in a summary table.