Showing 13 results for Cardiovascular
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2015)
Abstract
Aim: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main contributor to disability and the leading cause of death in Iran and worldwide. This study was done to determine the effect of education on behaviors related to CVDs among Yazd city restaurants` chefs.
Method: In an experimental study, the intervention factor for case group was education through lectures, pamphlets, and videos. All the restaurant and hotel chefs of Yazd were divided into two groups: intervention and control (each group 39). Data were gathered through a researcher-made questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability. All registered data were transformed to the SPSS program and analyzed under Mann-Whitney's U, Wilcoxon's, McNemar's, Marginal homogeneity, Spearman's correlation, and Chi-square tests.
Findings: Before training, the average scores of knowledge, attitude and practice had no significant differences between the case and control groups (p≥0/05), but this difference was significant immediately and three months after education (p>0/05). Significant differences were observed in the scores of the knowledge and attitude of the intervention group between prior and immediately and three months after education (p>0/05). Also three months after the intervention, the mean score of practice was increased in the intervention group. The main information source of the subjects was media (63.5%) with physicians being their preferred source (62.2%).
Conclusion: According to the average knowledge of chefs before the intervention and significant role of chefs on cardiovascular health, improving their information through regular training programs (in consultation and health education centers), posters, pamphlets, and media is suggested.
Volume 6, Issue 4 (10-2018)
Abstract
Aims: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the main causes of death and have the first place among other diseases throughout the world. Studying the situation of risk factors for CVDs seems necessary in Iran at various periods. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among the employees of Ilam University of Medical Sciences in order to design appropriate educational interventions.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, which was conducted in 2017, 294 employees of Ilam University of Medical Sciences participated after presenting written consent forms. To collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed and applied after verifying the validity and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha greater than 0.8). Eventually, the data were analyzed, using SPSS 16 and appropriate statistical methods.
Findings: Generally, 46.3% of the participants had a history of CVDs, 21.8% had a history of death caused by these diseases in their family, and 69.4% had a history of death caused by CVD among their relatives; 72.4% of the participants did not exercise daily and the mean daily exercise of participants was 8.08±1.51 minutes. Totally, 41.5% of the participants were taking solid oil, 78.6% were high-fat dairy consumers, and 41.2% consumed red meat more than twice a week.
Conclusion: Performance of the participants in terms of physical activity and consuming fruits and vegetables, fish, red meat, and fatty foods is undesirable, indicating the unhealthy lifestyle of people and their exposure to CVDs.
Volume 8, Issue 1 (1-2023)
Abstract
Aims: Childhood obesity is one of the leading causes of various musculoskeletal problems and health-related issues among school-going children. Regular sporting activity helps to maintain physical fitness. To compare the effects of physical activity on Body Mass Index (BMI) and cardiovascular endurance among the students of the sporting school and general school.
Method and Materials: This pilot study was conducted among the students of the sporting school and general school from a selected area of Bangladesh. A total of 20 participants (10 from sporting schools and 10 from general schools) both males and females took part in this study. Anthropometric measurement was taken after getting consent from the participants. The Havard Step Test was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and an independent t-test were used to compare the data. The p value was set at <0.05 as the level of significance.
Findings: The mean age, height, weight, and BMI of the participants in the sporting group were 16.37±1.04 years, 117.72±12.01 cm, 64.25±25 kg, and 19.93±1.10 kg/m2 and in the non-sporting group were 14.65±0.93 years, 105.22±14.42 cm, 61.23±2.19 kg, and 19.64±2.27 kg/m2 respectively. There was no significant difference in BMI (p= 0.412) but cardiovascular endurance (p=0.026) showed a significant difference among sporting school and non-sporting school children.
Conclusion: Though females in sporting schools have a high level of cardiovascular endurance results of both groups are not as expected. The study strongly recommended that every school should arrange competitive games at least once a week for their students.
Volume 9, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Aims: Cardiac scan is one of the most accurate cardiovascular tests performed to diagnose coronary artery disease. This study aimed to investigate reducing the anxiety of cardiovascular patients as a result of written-visual training.
Materials & Methods: The method of this study was quasi-experimental and was performed on 100 cardiovascular patients (50 in the control group and 50 in audio-visual training) referred to the nuclear medicine department of Shahid Rajaei Cardiovascular Hospital in Tehran. Before and after training, participants completed the standard Spielberger Anxiety Inventory (1970). To test the hypotheses, one-way covariance was used. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22.
Findings: The study indicated that the mean of anxiety decreased in the experimental group, but the differences between the experimental and control groups were not significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Training patients before performing a myocardial perfusion scan has a significant effect on reducing patients' anxiety and leads to better results and less time wasted.
Volume 9, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the constructs of Health Belief Model (HBM) and doing daily exercise to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the employees of Ilam University of medical sciences in Iran.
Instrument & Methods: About 294 employees of Ilam University of medical sciences participated in this cross-sectional study after providing a written consent form in 2017. The tool to collect data was an HBM-ISCS questionnaire, which was applied. Eventually, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS 16 and logistic regression.
Findings: The results showed that 72.4% of participants did not exercise daily, and the Mean±SD of their daily exercise was 8.08±1.51min. Logistic regression showed that the possibility of daily exercise per unit of increase in perceived barriers decreased by about 10%, while every unit of increase in the self-efficacy score resulted in the possibility of 1.12 times more doing daily exercise. The possibility of doing daily exercise among men was 2 times more than in women, and among the personnel of financial/administrative department, it was about 2.5 times more than in the employees of health care department. Accordingly, the possibility of doing exercise decreased by about 8% per unit of increase in work experience.
Conclusion: The amount of doing daily exercise among the participants of this study was low, and implementing interventions commensurate with the results of this study and based on HBM can be effective in improving the amount of doing daily exercise in them.
Volume 10, Issue 4 (12-2024)
Abstract
Background: Viral infections may play a significant role in the development of heart failure, especially in people with related cardiac conditions such as myocarditis. Hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV-HDV) are potentially fatal liver infections. This study examined the influence of metabolic syndrome and its associated disorders.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated hepatitis D antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 239 people aged 35 to 65 years in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran in 2018-2019. There were two study groups: those with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and healthy individuals. Serum samples of all subjects in both groups were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Findings: HDV infection was detected in none of the study groups. Only one patient (0.8%) in the case group tested positive for HBsAg. The average LDL (low-density lipoprotein) (p= .8) and cholesterol (p= .3) levels in terms of lipid profiles were similar in both groups. Although the mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level in the patient group was lower, the mean triglyceride level in this group was higher than in the control group. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) (p= .009) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly higher in CVD patients, while 59.3% of them exhibited metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: This study results demonstrate no connection between HBV/HDV infection and cardiovascular diseases. The findings confirm that metabolic syndrome and hyperglycemia are underlying factors in cardiovascular diseases. Changes in HDL and triglyceride levels could impact cardiovascular diseases more than other lipids.
Volume 11, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
Aims: The consumption of fruits and vegetables has a protective effect on cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors. The present study aimed to assess the effect of educational intervention on fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as its effect on blood lipid parameters, in government employees.
Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in two offices in Qaem Shahr. The data collection tool included a 31-item questionnaire on the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption and a laboratory test to measure blood lipid parameters. The Chi-square test, t-test, paired sample t-test, and ANCOVA were used for data analysis.
Findings: The study groups significantly differed in mean fruit and vegetable consumption after the six-month intervention (p<0.001). The mean total cholesterol (p<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C; p=0.005) levels were significantly different between the groups after the intervention. The mean difference of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels showed a significant relationship with the study groups and the interaction of gender and group (p<0.001). The mean difference of total cholesterol (p=0.008) and LDL-C had a significant relationship with the study groups (p=0.03).
Conclusion: Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is only effective in improving the levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C, but not in lowering triglyceride and HDL-C levels. Therefore, influencing factors, such as the duration of fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as the time required to monitor their effect on these parameters, should be more closely examined.
Volume 11, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
Aims: Many women are uninformed of the factors that put them at risk for cardiovascular diseases or the preventative measures that they can take to lower that risk, which makes the incidence of CVDs among women a serious public health concern. This study aimed to determine the correlation of lifestyle factors and demographic characteristics of women with the incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases.
Instrument & Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on women in AL Diwaniyah City, Iraq, from January to March 2023. The purposive sampling was used to select 99 women suffering from cardiovascular disease attending the Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital, Cardiac Catheterization Center, and Primary Health Centers.
Findings: Spearman’s correlation showed a highly significant correlation between women’s age and lifestyle factors, physical activity, and stress management (p=0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between women’s education level, stress management, and follow-up (p>0.05). Occupation showed a statistically significant correlation with women’s health history (p=0.046). The woman’s monthly income was correlated with her family history (p=0.003).
Conclusion: Low-income families are the most predominant socioeconomically status in AL Diwaniyah City. A noteworthy correlation exists between the age of women and their health history, physical activity, and stress management.
Volume 11, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
Aims: Heart failure reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is defined as symptoms, such as shortness of breath and edema with an ejection fraction of less than 40% in echocardiography. Regarding the pathogenesis, the role of inflammation is undeniable. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is one of the pro-inflammatory cytokines that is important in cardiovascular disease and has a critical role in CAD. It is also related to complications caused by heart failure and mortality. Nanocurcumin is a polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric) with better bioavailability. Effects of nanocurcumin on the reduction of IL-6 and NT-proBNP in hospitalized HFrEF patients with acute decompensation were investigated.
Materials & Methods: Sixty patients with HFrEF admitted with acute heart failure were divided into the intervention group with the administration of 40 mg of nanocurcumin twice a day for seven days and the control group (placebo). The levels of electrolytes, creatinine, IL-6, and NT-proBNP were measured at baseline and after one week.
Findings: There was no statistically significant difference in the reduction in IL-6 and NT-proBNP levels in the intervention and control groups (p>0.05). Also, there was no significant difference in creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate in the two groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Nanocurcumin at a dose of 40 mg twice a day for seven days in patients with acute decompensated heart failure did not reduce IL-6 and NT-proBNP levels.
Volume 12, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Aims: Cardiovascular disease remains highly prevalent in Tehran City, Iran, necessitating a careful consideration of the quality of life among individuals afflicted with heart disease. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy on quality of life and life expectancy in cardiac patients.
Materials & Methods: This semi-experimental study employed a pre-test/post-test design in cardiovascular patients who visited the Tehran Heart Center hospital for cardiac rehabilitation in 2022-2023. Recovery-oriented cognitive therapy was used as an intervention for the experimental group (n=24), and the control group (n=30) had no intervention. Following a month-long intervention comprising two sessions per week, patients underwent reassessment at three- and six-months post-treatment. The short form 36 (SF-36) and adult hope scale-12 (AHS-12) questionnaires were used. The data was analyzed using the Bonferroni t-test, covariance-based statistics, and one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using the SPSS 21 software.
Findings: There were no significant differences in the quality of life and life expectancy parameters between the experimental and control groups. The quality of life and life expectancy showed consistent and significant improvement across all four measured time points
Conclusion: Recovery-oriented cognitive therapy positively affects the quality of life and life expectancy in cardiac patients.
Volume 12, Issue 4 (10-2024)
Abstract
Aims: Hypertension is a critical health condition requiring consistent medical adherence to prevent complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a cardiovascular risk assessment and an educational intervention grounded in the Health Belief Model (HBM) on medication adherence among patients with hypertension.
Materials & Methods: A semi-experimental study was conducted with three groups: a combined risk assessment and education group, a risk assessment-only group, and a control group, each consisting of 40 patients. Cardiovascular risk was individually assessed in both intervention groups using the Framingham model, with risk categories (low, moderate, high) explained to personalize the intervention and enhance perceived susceptibility. Additionally, patients in the combined intervention group received an educational booklet structured around HBM components. All participants completed questionnaires measuring knowledge, HBM constructs, the Morisky Medication Adherence Questionnaire, and treatment compliance (measured by the ratio of consumed to prescribed medications) at baseline and after three months. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 26.
Findings: The three groups were demographically comparable. Over time, the combined intervention group showed significant improvements in all HBM constructs. The risk assessment-only group demonstrated improvements in perceived barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and awareness. Both intervention groups exhibited enhanced treatment compliance and medication adherence compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The combined educational and risk assessment intervention proved more effective in improving awareness and strengthening HBM constructs than risk assessment alone.
Volume 16, Issue 3 (5-2016)
Abstract
Aortic Valve simulation remains a controversial topic, as a result of its complex anatomical structure and mechanical characteristics such as material properties and time-dependent loading conditions. This study aims to integrate physiologically important features into a realistic structural simulation of the aortic valve. A finite element model of the natural human aortic valve was developed considering Linear Elastic and Hyperelastic material properties for the leaflets and aortic tissues and starting from the unpressurized geometry. It has been observed that although similar stress-strain patterns generated on Aortic Valve for both material properties, the hyperelastic nature of valve tissue can distribute stress smoothly and lower strain during the cardiac cycle. The deformation of the aortic root can play a prominent role as its compliance extremely changed throughout cardiac cycle. Furthermore, dynamics of the leaflets can reduce stresses by affecting geometries. The highest values of stress occurred along the leaflet attachment line and near the commissure during diastole. The effects of high +G acceleration on the performance of valve, valve opening and closing characteristics, and equivalent Von Mises stress and strain distribution are also investigated.
Dr Mohammad H. Rahmati, Dr Vahid Moghani, Dr Mohammad Vesal,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (6-2020)
Abstract
This paper studies the short-term impacts of air pollutants on mortality rates in a range of diseases including cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive diseases, tumors and cancers. It uses daily data of suspended particulate matters (SPM), CO, NOx, and O3 in six metropolitan areas of Tehran, Ahvaz, Mashhad, Tabriz, Shiraz, and Esfahan during 2011-2015. In order to determine the impact of air pollution on mortality rate, both daily air pollution and its average over the past two weeks is used. In this research, no association was found between daily pollution and mortality rate. However, the results show that increasing CO in the past two weeks causes a significant increase in mortality rates
