Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare different methods of measuring blood pressure devices and to investigate the inter-arm and inter-leg difference (IAD and ILD), the ankle brachial index, and variables that affect them in young and elderly participants.
Methods: This study was conducted in Turkey with 150 students studying at a university and 150 individuals aged over 60, a total of 300 participants. Data regarding the measurements of arm and ankle blood pressures using an automated oscillometric device and an aneroid sphygmomanometer were collected between December 2019 and January 2020 by the researchers.
Results: There was a correlation between the right arm systolic blood pressure and the variable of bodyweight, and measurements made by automatic oscillometry were higher than those made using an aneroid manometer. A large IAD of ≥ 10 mmHg was found in 22.7% of the participants, and large ILD was found in 30%. Mean IAD was associated with bodyweight and body mass index. ILD was greater in men than in women and in older individuals compared with those in younger participants. In addition, low ankle brachial index values of ≤ 0.9 were found in 2.3% of the participants.
Conclusion: The present data show the results of a comparison of blood pressure measurements in young and old individuals made using different devices and parts of the body. We believe that the findings will create awareness in the researchers and health personnel regarding comparison of IAD and ILD and ankle brachial index in these individuals.

Objective: To determine the use of complementary alternative medicine in patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
Methods: This was a descriptive study that included 288 patients, with a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, who applied to the cardiology outpatient clinics of a university medical faculty hospital between August 01, 2019, and January 31, 2020. The Descriptive Information Form and Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) Reminder Template were used as data collection tools.
Results: The mean age of the patients in the study was 59.32±13.89 years, and 54.2% of them were men. Of the patients, 61.5% were primary school graduates, and 82.3% were married; 41% of the patients were using between 4 and 6 drugs and presented mostly with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease (36.8%). The mean duration of the disease was 8.77±7.69 years; and 63.5% of the patients used at least one CAM method, and the goal of using CAM was to find healing and recovery in most (35%). Although 57.9% of CAM users reported that they benefited, 1.6% stated that they were harmed. The most commonly used CAM method was prayer with 68.3% and phytotherapy with 18%. The majority (79.8%) of CAM users did it on a daily basis. The patients’ decision to use CAM was mostly (69.9%) their own, and the practitioner was mostly (96.2%) themselves. Of the patients, 85.2% stated that they did not inform the health professionals they were using CAM. Women used CAM more than men (p=0.025).
Conclusion: The patients included in the study frequently preferred prayer and phytotherapy methods from the CAM methods, and the rate of harm was very low. However, the patients were reluctant to report the methods used to the healthcare professional.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been commonly used to treat severe aortic stenosis in older patients in the past decade. Complexities, complications, and the high risk of the procedure require nursing care tailored to individual needs. Thus, understanding the care, expectations, and experiences of patients who have undergone TAVI is essential for specialized and individualized care. In this study, we investigated hospitalization experiences of patients who underwent TAVI.
Methods: The study adopted a descriptive qualitative design. The sample consisted of 21 patients who underwent TAVI, recruited using purposive sampling. The data were collected through in-depth interviews performed face to face and analyzed using inductive content analysis.
Results: The data were grouped under 5 themes: symptom burden, lack of knowledge, physical reactions, emotional reactions, and expectations. The participants stated that they needed to be informed of the procedure, preoperative tests, and home care through written and regular training based on individual needs. Their worst experiences took place in the intensive care unit. They experienced fear of death and anxiety in the preoperative period and insomnia, inactivity, and difficulty in urination in the postoperative period. They stated that positive communication created an atmosphere of trust.
Conclusion: The results shed light on the expectations of patients who underwent TAVI and contributed to patient-centered care. Research on patient-care principles cannot keep up with technological advances in TAVI. More evidence-based research is warranted to determine the effect of nurse-led training and follow-up programs on early mobilization of patients who underwent TAVI.

Objective: This research has been carried out to determine the level of hopelessness and life quality of the patients with heart failure.
Methods: The research, descriptive and relational, was carried out between April 2018 and October 2019. The universe of the research includes İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Hospital Cardiology Ward and 572 adult patients who consulted to cardiology service and diagnosed with heart failure at least 6 months ago. The sampling is made up of 188 patients determined by using sampling method of known universe. In order to reduce the error margin, it has been completed with 283 patients. While collecting the data, Patient Identification Questionnaire Form, The Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale have been used. During the statistical analyse of the data, in independent groups, t-tests, Mann-Whitney U Tests, ANOVA, Kruksal Wallis correlation and Tukey tests have been used.
Results: It has been observed that level of life quality and hopelessness at medium rate. Statistically there is a significant disparity between patients’ MLHFQ score average and identifying characteristics (age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, income level) and disease characteristics (NYHA classification, BMI, disease diagnose time, number of stay in hospital, additional disease) (p<0.05). There is statistically considerable disparity between the patients’ BHS score average and identifying characteristics (age, marital status, education, occupation) and disease characteristics (NHYA classification, diagnose time, number of stay in hospital) (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The patients' quality of life and hopelessness were found to be moderate.

Objective: The study was conducted with 97 patients with CAD hospitalized in the cardiology clinic of a university hospital between November 15, 2019, and March 13, 2020. Research data were collected using the data collection form and the Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). The data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program. Number, percentage, arithmetic mean, chi-squared test, t-test, and analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.
Methods: Of the participants, 52.5% were male. A statistical difference was found between men and women in terms of smoking (p=0.000). There was no significant relationship between sex and mean scale score, regular medication use, salt-restricted diet, daily fruit and vegetable consumption, exercise for at least 20 minutes a day, and perceived stress (p>0.005).
Results: According to the MMAS-8 mean score, those who did not exercise for at least 20 minutes a day and those who did not exercise regularly, smoked, and were on a salt-restricted diet and consumed fruits and vegetables, and those who did it between 1–5 times per week were found to have low adherence, whereas those who exercised for at least 20 minutes a day were at a moderate level of adherence.
Conclusion: A difference was found between smoking status and exercising at least 20 minutes each day between men and women in the management of CAD. It was found that there was no significant difference in terms of other risk factors, and it was insufficient in both sexes.

Objective: This study was conducted to adapt the Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale to Turkish and to test the validity and reliability of the scale.
Methods: The population of this methodological study consisted of 302 people who applied to the determined family health center between October and December 2014 and were diagnosed with hypertension for at least 1 year and agreed to participate in the study. The data of the study were collected using the Turkish version of the Descriptive Feature Form and Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale. Item total score correlation, Cronbach’s alpha, and factor analysis were used for the internal consistency structure of the Turkish form of the scale. The Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale was administered to the patients using face-to-face interview technique.
Results: Factor analysis results determined that the scale had a single factor structure as in its original form. Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient of the Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale was found to be 0.88 and the test-retest reliability coefficient was found to be 0.78. In addition, it was determined that the item-total correlation coefficients of the Turkish form of the scale were between 0.23 and 0.86. The explanatory factor analysis of the scale showed a single factor structure with factor loadings in an appropriate range (0.89–0.33).
Conclusion: The results showed that the Turkish version of the Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale has sufficient validity and reliability values to determine the self-efficacy levels in patients with hypertension. The Turkish version of the Hypertension Self-Efficacy Scale was found to be a valid and reliable instrument in determining self-efficacy levels of these patients.

Peripheral artery disease, which is a chronic and progressive disease, affects the self-care agency of patients negatively owing to problems such as pain, skin changes, decreased physical activity, tissue perfusion, and gives rise to health deviation self-care needs. It is well known that education given by nurses to the patients who need education and support in the management of their disease throughout their lives to reduce problems and to strengthen self-care are effective. It is very important to support the education given to patients through visual expression and to prepare the problems based on the nursing model by comprehensively in order to be effective and reinforce the education. Algorithms that can be used as written education material in patient education enable decision making in the application and evaluation of nursing care and offer progressive solutions. Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, the purpose of which is to provide nursing care to individuals who cannot do self-care and to eliminate the lack of knowledge of patients, is frequently used in nursing practices and improves the health of the patients. However, an educational booklet about peripheral arterial disease has not been found, which is comprehensively prepared on the basis of the model and with algorithms. In this study, we aimed to explain the stages (determining content titles, creating content titles, preparing algorithms, creating the booklet, expert opinions, determining the readability level, and pre-application) of creating an algorithm educational booklet prepared on the basis of the supportive-educative nursing system based on the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Although there is no life-threatening arrhythmia, side effects of treatment not only decrease the quality of life but also increase mortality and morbidity. Antithrombotic therapy is used to prevent complications associated with atrial fibrillation. Warfarin, an oral anticoagulant, is the most commonly used drug. Controlled drug adjustments of warfarin should be made to adjust the dose to both adequately suppress thrombosis and avoid bleeding complications. Warfarin intoxication may occur in patients where drug adjustment is not made or there is drug-drug interaction and drug-nutrient interaction. Nurses should provide counseling and training to patients, who use warfarin, about drug use, the importance of regular health check-ups, and side effects of the drug. In this study, we determined the care requirements of a patient who came to the emergency department with warfarin intoxication according to the Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns model and aimed to create a nursing care plan according to the determined North American Nursing Diagnosis Association nursing diagnoses.