Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
OpenStax Logo
Clinical Nursing Skills

Introduction

Clinical Nursing SkillsIntroduction
Figure 24.1 Providing quality and competent nursing care includes performing a comprehensive cardiovascular and peripheral vascular assessment. (credit: modification of work “EMT/Nursing Pediatric Emergency Simulation - April 2013 18” by COD Newsroom/Flickr; CC BY 2.0)

Chapter Outline

Introduction

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death among men and women of all races and ethnicities (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). The World Health Organization (WHO) reports millions of deaths each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke (WHO, 2021). Approximately one-third of all deaths occur before age 70, which is considered to be premature when compared to the average life span. Understanding the function of the cardiovascular and peripheral vascular systems, related pathologies, and the effect cardiovascular disease has on the body is important in ensuring appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Identifying risk factors early can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment and, therefore, contributes to a longer and healthier life span. Lifestyle factors (e.g., diet, physical activity, smoking) and comorbid disorders contribute significantly to the development and progression of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases. To mitigate any potential cardiovascular risks, nurses must be skilled in conducting thorough assessments, recognizing risk factors, and implementing interventions specific to the patient.

Coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular diseases, arrhythmias, and peripheral vascular disease are examples of the types of cardiovascular diseases the nurse will encounter. Each of these disorders manifests in various ways, with each presenting unique challenges in diagnosing, treating, and providing ongoing care. Understanding the nuances of each disorder as well as the individual needs of the patient allows the nurse to play a pivotal role in the holistic care of the patient. Identifying the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular and peripheral vascular systems along with recognizing dysfunction is crucial in both prevention and management. As caregivers on the front lines of health care, a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases equips nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide compassionate and effective care to individuals navigating the complexities of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular health.

PreviousNext
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/clinical-nursing-skills/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/clinical-nursing-skills/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Jul 23, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.