Abstract

Aim.The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of nutrition knowledge and physical activity level with total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in men with myocardial infarction (MI).

Background. Myocardial infarction is the most common cardiovascular disease and considered as the main cause of mortality in the world including Iran. The studies show modification of unhealthy lifestyle is a preventive method in cardiovascular diseases.Nutrition knowledge and physical activity are important factors in reducing serum lipid levels and prevention of cardiovascular disease, particularly myocardial infarction. Modification and promotion of nutrition knowledge and physical activity levels in individuals with history of cardiovascular disease may reduce the risk of myocardial infarction.

Method. This is a quasi-experimental study in which 150 men from Milad Hospital in Tehran (mean age of 58.01 with standard deviation of 3.58 years, mean weight of 80.8 with standard deviation of 13.18 Kg, and mean height 174.24 cm with standard deviation 6.43 cm) were selected by Morgan table to fill two questionnaires of nutrition knowledge (Wardle 1999) and of physical activity level. After 12 hours fasting, HDL-C, LDL-C and total cholesterol levels were measured in all subjects. The data was analyzed in the significance level of 0.05.

Findings. The findings showed that there was a statistically significant correlation of nutrition knowledge and physical activity level with LDL-C and total cholesterol in adult men with MI, but no significant correlation with HDL-C was found.

Conclusion. According to the results, with promoting nutrition knowledge and physical activity level in men with MI, the risk of cardiovascular diseases (especially myocardial infarction) can be controlled.

Abstract

Aim. This study was conducted to examine the effect of combined inhalation of lavender oil, chamomile and Neroli oil on vital signs of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background. Increase in vital signs in patients with acute coronary syndrome worsens the disease and increases anxiety. The use of complementary medicine for better patient outcomes has been usually considered by the nurses due to the low complications and relatively low costs.

Method. This was a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial that carried out at the Emam Sajad Hospital in Shahryar, Tehran, Iran in 2016.  After obtaining the approval from the Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences, 75 patients aged 20 to 80 years who signed the informed consent were recruited and randomly allocated into three groups (control, placebo, and intervention groups) using block randomization design (25 subjects in each group). In the intervention group, patients were asked to strew 2 drops of the aroma on an eye pad, keep their hands at the distance of 5 cm from their nose and take deep breath 10 times. After this, the pad was placed beside the pillow of the patient until the next morning. In the placebo group, this process was carried out using distilled water and the control group received routine care. The patients’ vital signs were measured before intervention, one hour after and every four hours after intervention until the next morning. Data were analyzed in SPSS, version 22, using chi-square test, t-test and ANOVA.

Findings. Before intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between three groups in terms of demographic characteristics as well as pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The results showed that the combination of three aromas decreased pulse rate, respiration rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in one, four, eight and twelve hours after the intervention in the aromatherapy group compared to the time before the intervention.

Conclusion. The use of aroma as a complementary method in patients with acute coronary syndrome could decrease their pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Due to the low risk and suitable accessibility to these aromas, the results can be used by nurses in the critical care unit and patient caregivers to improve patients' vital signs.