Oxford University Press Handbook of Cardiac Nursing

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of premature death throughout the developed world and it is also rapidly increasing in the developing world. The condition significantly impacts on every aspect of the patient's life. Additionally many patients who have concurrent health problems may require cardiac management whilst undergoing other specialist treatments. Patients with cardiac disease are managed across a variety of settings, from acute tertiary specialist centres, to general medical wards and in primary care.