Risk Of Various Health Problems

As a nurse, there are a number of things you can do to assist patients with incorporating exercise and physical activity into their lives:

• Assess your patient's readiness for change. Not all patients will be ready to start exercising immediately. It is important to assess your patient's readiness for change and to develop a plan that is realistic and achievable.
• Educate your patient about the benefits of exercise. Many patients are not aware of the many benefits of exercise. It is important to educate your patient about the benefits of exercise and to help them to set realistic goals.
• Recommend specific exercises. Once you have assessed your patient's readiness for change and educated them about the benefits of exercise, you can recommend specific exercises. It is important to choose exercises that are appropriate for your patient's fitness level and interests.
• Help your patient to create a plan. Once you have recommended specific exercises, help your patient to create a plan for incorporating exercise into their routine. This plan should include the type of exercise, the amount of exercise, and the frequency of exercise.
• Provide support and encouragement. It is important to provide support and encouragement to your patient as they start exercising. This may involve checking in with them regularly, offering suggestions, and celebrating their successes.

Evidence-Based Literature Supporting the Benefits of Exercise for CVD and Type 2 Diabetes

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week. They also recommend that adults do muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms) on two or more days a week.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that adults with type 2 diabetes get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week. They also recommend that adults with type 2 diabetes do muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms) on two or more days a week.

Example of a Plan for Incorporating Exercise into a Patient's Routine

Here is an example of a plan for incorporating exercise into the routine of a patient with CVD:

• Type of exercise: Walking, biking, swimming, or dancing.
• Amount of exercise: 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days a week.
• Approach to gain cooperation from the patient:

1. Assess the patient's readiness for change.
2. Educate the patient about the benefits of exercise.
3. Recommend specific exercises.
4. Help the patient to create a plan for incorporating exercise into their routine.
5. Provide support and encouragement.

If the patient is not ready to start exercising immediately, you can start by recommending small changes, such as walking for 10 minutes a day or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. As the patient gets stronger and more fit, you can gradually increase the amount of exercise they do.

It is important to remember that everyone is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to exercise. The best way to help your patient incorporate exercise into their life is to work with them to develop a plan that is realistic and achievable.

Two at-risk health issues that regular physical exercise and activity can help prevent and manage are cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes.

Prevalence of CVD and Type 2 Diabetes in Society Today

CVD is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for one in three deaths each year. Type 2 diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and it affects more than 37 million Americans.

Benefits of Exercise for CVD and Type 2 Diabetes

Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of CVD by improving cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar control. It can also help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing body weight.

How Nurses Can Assist Patients with Incorporating Exercise and Physical Activity into Their Lives