Exploring the cardiovascular health behaviors of college students and the areas that need increased public health efforts.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide among adults. Traditionally, the disease has been considered as a condition affecting older adults. However, its risk factors (e.

Renal Denervation for the Treatment of Hypertension: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite the widespread availability of both pharmacological and lifestyle therapeutic options, blood pressure control rates across the globe are worsening. In fact, only 23% of individuals with high blood pressure in the United States achieve treatment goals.

Emergency Department Length of Stay: A Community Hospital Initiative.

Objective: This quality improvement initiative was conducted to determine if a provider in triage and split flow model could decrease the length of stay (LOS) of discharged patients seen in a community hospital emergency department (ED).

Background: Extended LOSs within the ED lead to delays in the care of patients, increase the number of patients who leave without being seen by a provider, decrease patient satisfaction, and cause a loss of revenue for health care organizations. Using a provider in triage and a split flow model, where patients can be seen and dispositioned without delays, can improve ED throughput and decrease the overall LOS.

Predicting meditation practices among individuals with cardiovascular diseases: A logistic regression analysis.

Purpose/objective: Since the prevalence and cost of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are high in the United States, research on affordable preventative and treatment approaches is needed. While meditation shows promise for heart-health promotion, there is little knowledge about its use among people with CVD and factors that may influence its usage. In response, the purposes of the current research are to (a) shed light on the proportion of people with CVD who practice meditation; and (b) reveal variables that predict the use of meditation among them.

Implementation Strategies to Improve Blood Pressure Control in the United States: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and American Medical Association.

Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors that contribute to incident cardiovascular events. A multitude of US and international hypertension guidelines, scientific statements, and policy statements have recommended evidence-based approaches for hypertension management and improved blood pressure (BP) control. These recommendations are based largely on high-quality observational and randomized controlled trial data.

Promoting physical activity in clinical practice through wearable technology.

The negative health consequences of physical inactivity continue to be a global problem that must be addressed from the highest levels of government down to local primary care providers. Physical activity has been identified as a useful patient vital sign in health care. Advanced practice nurses should aggressively prescribe physical activity as an evidence-based intervention to help mitigate the increased mortality and morbidity associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Engagement and Advocacy of Community-Based Organizations Serving Older Adults in Native American, Rural, and Homeless Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Older adults in Native American, rural, and homeless communities have been disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic due to structural and systemic inequities. However, community-based organizations (CBOs) serving these older adults are well positioned as frontline responders and trusted messengers to support their needs and provide vital services that enable them to stay safe. This commentary argues that CBOs are essential for engaging with and responding to community needs during a pandemic.

Role of Socioeconomic Factors on Physical and Mental Distress Reported by Alabama Adults with COPD.

Objectives: Educational attainment, income, and race play significant roles in managing and treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of these socioeconomic factors and others on the physical and mental distress reported by patients with COPD living in Alabama.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was completed of Alabama Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2015-2019 data collected from 4123 respondents who reported that a health professional told them they had COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.

Depressive Symptoms and Risk of Stroke in a National Cohort of Black and White Participants From REGARDS.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine depressive symptoms as a risk factor for incident stroke and determine whether depressive symptomatology was differentially predictive of stroke among Black and White participants.

Methods: The study comprised 9,529 Black and 14,516 White stroke-free participants, aged 45 and older, enrolled in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (2003-2007). Incident stroke was the first occurrence of stroke.

Heart Health in Teachers-Do We Need to Know More?

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the prevalence and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hypertension, physical activity, and mental health in teachers.

Methods: Data were drawn from the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A series of analyses were conducted utilizing exploratory data analysis, nominal logistic regression, and multivariate regression analysis.

"I'm scared": Journaling Uncovers Student Perceptions Prior to a Psychiatric Clinical Rotation.

The United States is experiencing a shortage of mental health practitioners. A growing body of evidence shows that nursing students state that mental health is among the least desirable specialties, citing anxiety as a prominent factor. This study builds on existing knowledge and seeks to understand undergraduate nursing students' goals and perceptions about mental health prior to a mental health course utilizing a semistructured clinical journal.

An Innovative Academic/Service Partnership to Increase BSN-Prepared RNs in a Rural Hospital.

Developing innovative ways to increase BSN-prepared nurses in hospitals in rural regions is a struggle. A partnership between 1 hospital and a local university to support the associate-degree new graduates to progress toward their BSN is proving to be a success.

Psychosocial Factors and Behaviors in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study.

Introduction: There are limited reports on the association of psychosocial factors with unhealthy behaviors, which are key mediators in the psychosocial-cardiovascular disease pathway. The Jackson Heart Study was used to examine the associations of multiple psychosocial factors with behaviors among African Americans.

Methods: The Jackson Heart Study is a prospective, cohort study of cardiovascular disease among African Americans recruited from the Jackson, MS, metropolitan area between 2000 and 2004.

Psychosocial Factors Are Associated With Blood Pressure Progression Among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study.

Background: Research that examines the associations of psychosocial factors with incident hypertension among African Americans (AA) is limited. Using Jackson Heart Study (JHS) data, we examined associations of negative affect and stress with incident hypertension and blood pressure (BP) progression among AA.

Methods: Our sample consisted of 1,656 normotensive participants at baseline (2000-2004) (mean age 47±12; 61% women).

A Qualitative Examination of Barriers for Urban and Rural Custodial Grandparents.

Focus groups were conducted with 33 community dwelling, urban and rural, custodial grandparents to explore their willingness to comply with a behavioral intervention targeting improving their well-being and financial management. Most participants were African American (91%), female (79%) and middle-aged. Major themes included: 1) inability to access social services; 2) legal assistance; 3) emotional well-being; 4) problems related to the parents of grandchildren; and 5) identification of structured activities for grandchildren.

Building from within: pastoral insights into community resources and assets.

Objectives: To explore perceptions of community pastors regarding the extent of community resources and assets in a rural, Southern, African American community.

Design And Sample: Utilizing a qualitative, descriptive design, interviews were conducted with six African American pastors.

Measures: Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide based on an assets-oriented approach.

Race and Sex Differences in Correlates of Systolic Blood Pressure in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objectives: To describe correlates of measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) among community-dwelling older African American and White Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods: Participants completed an in-home assessment and factors significantly correlated with SBP were tested using multivariable models.

Results: Among the 958 participants (mean age= 75.

Benefits, barriers, sources of influence, and prostate cancer screening among rural men.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore 3 research questions: (1) What are the perceived benefits of screening for prostate cancer (PC)? (2) What are the perceived barriers to screening for PC? and (3) Is there an association with perceived benefits or perceived barriers and participants' reported source of influence related to prostate cancer screening (PCS) decisions?

Design And Sample: A nonexperimental exploratory design was used for the study. Sample included 94 rural-dwelling male participants aged 40 and older.

Measures: The instruments used included an adapted version of Champion's (1999) revised Health Belief Model scale and a researcher-developed demographic and PCS patterns form.

The mock trial: a collaborative interdisciplinary approach to understanding legal and ethical issues.

To provide high-quality, safe, patient-centered care, RNs must exhibit a strong understanding of legal and ethical issues. The authors describe an interdisciplinary teaching learning strategy, the premock, actual, and postmock trial, to augment student retention of legal and ethical concepts and enhance the development of their personal accountability.

Perceptions of hypertension and contributing personal and environmental factors among rural Southern African American women.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the perceptions of Southern, rural, African American women regarding personal and environmental factors that affect their hypertension.

Design: A purposive sample of 25 African American women aged 40-74 years, who lived in rural Alabama, participated in seven Talking Circles for 60 minutes.

Results: Most felt that hypertension was a "common occurrence" and that it was "typical in the African American community.