To identify the frequency of nursing diagnoses defining characteristics of inpatients with cardiovascular disease, and to rate them according to demographic and clinical variables. Methods: A descriptive transversal study. Data were collected through nursing assessment, medical charts, interview and physical exams with 30 inpatients in a large hospital .A proprietary instrument validated for data collection was used. Such data were analyzed by 5 experts and, upon agreement of 50%, they were submitted to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: Significant associations were found with the factors Presence of Heart Failure, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Pain, Sex and Age. The most frequent nursing diagnoses were: anxiety (76,7%), acute pain (70,7%), decreased cardiac output (56,7%), activity intolerance (46,7%), sexual dysfunction (36,7%) and impaired urinary elimination (36,7%). The diagnosis decreased cardiac output, impaired activity and impaired urinary elimination (p=0,029) were observed with high frequency in patients with heart failure (p=0,003). There was also an association between acute myocardial infarction and insomnia nursing diagnosis (p=0,014). Sexual dysfunction was associated with age above 60 years (p=0,041). Conclusion: nursing diagnoses showed responses to cardiovascular disease through holistic research.
Nursing Diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases; Nursing Process; Cardiology