More than 200 South Africans are killed daily by heart disease, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
To highlight the problem and educate communities, the School of Nursing at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has been conducting outreach programmes in Cape Town. Recently, fourth-year Bachelor of Nursing students conducted cardiovascular risk assessments on adults in Bellville, Klipheuwel and Fisantekraal.
The assessments included blood pressure screenings, calculating body mass index and conducting lifestyle interviews regarding smoking and hypertension.
Associate Professor at the School of Nursing, Dr Talitha Crowley, has stressed the importance of these outreach programmes.
‘’Untreated cardiovascular disease (CVD) leads to increased mortality rates,’’ said Dr Crowley.
‘’The cardiovascular disease risk in the Cape Metropole community is unknown. Hence outreach programmes like these can lead to the development of preventative programmes.’’
More than 60 students were involved in the outreach programme, which assisted 500 people in five days. The School of Nursing integrates outreach programmes in and throughout the curriculum.
‘’We helped a lot of individuals; we offered brief behaviour change counselling if they had any complaints regarding their health,’’ said final-year student, Franzé Myburgh.
“When we calculated the CVD risks, we could see what the participants' heart age was, and it wasn't always the same as their actual age.’’
The Heart and Stroke Foundation reported that 80% of deaths before the age of 60 can be prevented with a healthy diet, regular exercise and avoiding smoking. A number of Bachelor of Nursing students have taken part in outreach programmes focussing
on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Cape Town.
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To highlight the problem and educate communities, the School of Nursing at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has been conducting outreach programmes in Cape Town. Recently, fourth-year Bachelor of Nursing students conducted cardiovascular risk assessments on adults in Bellville, Klipheuwel and Fisantekraal.
