Addressing cardiovascular risk

On May 16, 2024, the Nursing program, Girardot branch, held the Webinar “Addressing Cardiovascular Risk: International Perspectives for Nursing Students”, which had the participation of about 100 people who attended virtually from Ecuador, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia.

The event addressed topics of great importance to public health, such as prevention and the challenges of nursing care in the context of cardiovascular risk, as stated by Lady Carolina Díaz Jurado, event organizer and Knowledge and Learning Manager for the Nursing program at the Girardot campus. “Participants acquired important knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors, prevention strategies, and the latest research in the field. This will allow them to make more informed decisions about their own health and that of their patients,” Díaz emphasized.

The teacher also highlighted the importance of primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular risk, in order to reduce the incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases worldwide.

She mentioned that the event provided a platform for nursing students from different countries to connect and collaborate, thereby promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices in cardiovascular health care.

In turn, Paola Andrea Fontal Vargas, PhD in Nursing and Master in Cardiovascular Nursing, who also works as a teacher at the Central Unit of Valle del Cauca, researcher at the Ministry of Science and active member of the Latin American Network of Nursing Education, highlighted the importance of events like this to stay updated on comprehensive cardiovascular health care.

“In my experience, these spaces allow us to dynamically update our responsibilities in caring for life and raise awareness about the importance of adopting heart-healthy habits in the population. It is a public health problem that must be addressed not only at the institutional level, but also at the governmental level, incorporating it into the educational policies of higher education institutions and into the management of care for patients with chronic and cardiovascular diseases,” she noted.

Fontal Vargas highlighted the richness of the presentations by her Latin American colleagues, who shared experiences on how they address risk factors in vulnerable populations and the importance of raising public awareness about the need to maintain good health. “The event was very enriching; it allowed us to learn about diverse perspectives and strategies for working to benefit at-risk populations. We must continue to address risk factors and promote healthy lifestyles,” she concluded.

It is worth highlighting the importance of continuing education for health professionals, which was emphasized as key to improving the quality of patient care and saving lives.

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Interesting facts about the heart

In Colombia, according to figures from the Ministry of Health, 100.5 out of every 100,000 people aged 30 to 70 died from cardiovascular diseases, making it the second leading cause of death in this population. The regions that reported the highest number of deaths from coronary heart disease were: Tolima, Norte de Santander, Risaralda, Caldas, Guaviare, the Archipelago of San Andrés, Valle del Cauca, Atlántico, Huila, and Quindío.

More news from the Girardot branch at the News Agency