Objective: This study aims to assess the association between medication adherence and e-health literacy in patients with hypertension.

Methods: Employing a cross-sectional and descriptive design, the study included 304 hypertensive patients. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Morisky 8-item Medication Adherence Scale (MAS), and the E-Health Literacy Scale (E-HLS).

Results: Significant differences in MAS total mean scores were observed based on age, gender, current health status, the number of medications used daily, the use of non-prescription medicines, consistency in taking medications daily, engagement with health-related publications, and perceptions of the usefulness of health resources for decision-making. Similarly, E-HLS mean scores varied significantly according to factors like age, marital status, education, employment status, health insurance coverage, residence, smoking habits, the number of medications used, regular health check-ups, consistency in medication adherence, engagement with health-related publications, and perceptions of the usefulness of health resources in decision-making.

Conclusions: The study revealed that only 9.5% of patients demonstrated high medication adherence, with an overall moderate level of e-health literacy. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between the MAS and E-HLS scores.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between adults’ knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and their engagement in health-promoting and protective behaviors.

Methods: The research employed a relational screening model and involved 436 adult individuals employed in university units. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form, Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL), and Health Promotion and Protective Behaviors Scale (HPPBS). Descriptive, comparative, and multiple regression analyses were conducted.

Results: The participants’ average score on the CARRF-KL was 20.18±4.48, while the mean score on the HPPBS was 83.23±8.76. In a significant regression model, it was found that 10% of the variance in the dependent variable could be explained by the independent variables. Specifically, the knowledge level of CVD risk factors (β=.18, t(426)= 2.51, P < 0.012), age (β= .12, t(426)= 2.50, P < 0.012), HPPBS score (β=.11, t(426)= 2.30, P < 0.022), gender (β=.11, t(426)= 2.38, P < 0.017), and education level (β=.10, t(426)= 2.33, P < 0.020) positively and significantly predicted the variables.

Conclusion: It is recommended that healthcare professionals in the field of public health offer health education and counseling services on CVD risk factors, health-promoting, and protective behaviors to all segments of society, with a particular focus on adults.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the attitude toward life among patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods: The research was conducted with 204 patients undergoing treatment for acute coronary syndrome at a teaching and research hospital in Ankara, Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Short Illness Perception Scale, and the Life Attitude Profile Scale.

Results: When comparing the subsections and total scores of the Short Illness Perception Scale and Life Attitude Profile Scale, statistically significant differences were observed between the subsections of cognitive illness representations and emotional illness representations, as well as the total scores of the Short Illness Perception Scale (P < 0.05). Statistical significance was also found in all subsections and total mean scores of the Life Attitude Profile Scale (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). However, no statistical significance was found between the total scores of the two scales (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: In our study, we did not find a significant relationship between illness perception and life attitude. The burden imposed by acute coronary syndrome, including continuous medication use and changes in the healthcare system, can influence individuals’ perceptions of illness and life outlook. Nevertheless, with effective nursing care and experience, it is possible to positively shape individuals’ perceptions of the disease and enhance their life attitudes.

Objective: Secondary prevention is crucial in cardiovascular disease to halt disease progression and prevent complications. Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs, encompassing exercise training, cardiovascular risk factor modification, and psychological intervention components, are conducted by a multidisciplinary team created for this purpose. This study aims to investigate the effects of the comprehensive CR program on quality of life, biophysiological parameters, and psychological features.

Methods: Data were collected in phase I (before discharge) and at the follow-up appointment in the early (30th day) phase III period of CR. The “SF-36 Quality of Life Scale”, “Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21)”, and biophysiological parameters were compared before and after the CR program.

Results: The mean age was 61.56 ± 8.22 years, and 27 (51.9%) of the patients were male. All SF-36 sub-dimensions after CR demonstrated a significant increase. The SF-36’s main components, the “physical component summary” and the “mental component summary” (30.36±8.38 and 28.53±12.59 vs. 77.27±13.66 and 64.48±6.48; P < 0.001), both showed a significant increase. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores significantly decreased after CR across all variables. A statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels, as well as an increase in hemoglobin value, were found in the biophysiological parameters.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that implementing all components of the CR program significantly improves patients’ quality of life, biophysiological parameters, and psychological features.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of caregiving burden on the stress levels of family caregivers of patients with heart failure and the relationship between them.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study took place at a Lokman Hekim University Hospital between December 2022 and June 2023, involving volunteer primary and informal caregivers of patients hospitalized in the cardiology ward for at least one day due to heart failure. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews utilizing the “Caregiver Identification Form,” “Caregiver Burden Scale,” and “Caregiver Stress Scale.”

Results: Among the caregivers participating in the research, it was found that 28.7% were between the ages of 41-50, and 62% were women. Upon examining the correlation between caregiver stress and caregiving burden scores, a positively moderate correlation (r = 0.658, P = 0.000) was observed between caregiving burden and caregiver stress. The regression analysis conducted to determine the causal relationship between caregiving burden and caregiver stress yielded significant results (P = 0.000). The caregiving burden explained 42.9% of the total change in caregiver stress levels. Caregiving burden was found to increase caregiver stress levels (ß = 0.658).

Conclusion: Based on our research findings, it is recommended to provide support for family members caring for HF patients, enhance home care services, and establish support groups to alleviate caregivers’ stress levels.

Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge level and practices of critical care nurses concerning the care of patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing a web-based survey. The Turkish Intensive Care Nurses Association and a nursing information platform distributed the survey link through their social media channels to solicit participation from nurses with a minimum of three years of experience in adult intensive care units and who had cared for at least three ECMO patients. Data were gathered using the “Nurse Identification Form” and the “ECMO Patient Care Knowledge Assessment Tool.”

Results: The study included 193 participating nurses. The average score for nurses’ knowledge of ECMO patient care was 34.58 ± 5.92, indicating a moderate level of knowledge. Regarding specific areas assessed by the questionnaire, nurses scored 63.5% for ECMO descriptive information, 60.6% for circuit characteristics, 86.0% for preparation and set-up, and 68.8% for patient monitoring and evaluation. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the ECMO knowledge level score and factors such as the number of ECMO patients cared for, nurse-to-patient ratio, and ECMO training received (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings highlight a clear need for enhanced performance in the management of ECMO patients among critical care nurses.

Heart failure, which is the endpoint of cardiovascular diseases, is an important health problem due to its high prevalence and mortality and the high frequency of repeated hospitalization. Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome in which disease control and management are difficult due to the physical and psychosocial problems it causes, and patients are exposed to a greater symptom burden over time. The current guidelines emphasize the importance of patient education and post-discharge monitoring to ensure disease control and symptom management in heart failure patients. It is known that heart failure patients need multifaceted interventions that include multiple components that provide different methods of care and monitoring, as well as patient education in disease control and symptom management. It is thought that mobile games, which have emerged as an alternative educational approach and have a motivating fun aspect with their high interaction and visual appeal, will meet this expectation. This review aims to discuss the effect of mobile games that promise more than entertainment on the management of heart failure following current literature information.

Despite its life-saving role, the care of patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) presents unique challenges due to potential complications. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective patient management. Nursing theories can be beneficial in care practices in ECMO patients by facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration, applying scientific knowledge and principles, and implementing systematic approaches.