A goal of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions is to improve implementation of the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology in clinical practice. One of the cornerstones of our strategy is to engage nurses more actively in implementing guidelines for patient care. The European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention provides an excellent opportunity to do so. Ensuring that patients receive evidence-based therapies, education, and support to modify behaviors to reduce risk is the responsibility of us all. We welcome this international white paper as a global call to action for nurses.
Kaat Siebens, PhD, RN, FESC
Chair
Council on Cardiovascular
Nursing and Allied Professions
The American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Nursing has an international nursing focus with a strong emphasis on prevention of cardiovascular disease. Because we are a global nursing community, this "state-of-the-art international paper" offers a platform upon which we can build a strategic plan for global prevention of cardiovascular disease. The Council on Cardiovascular Nursing applauds this "Call to Action for Nurses" and reaches out to all nurses worldwide to make a difference in cardiovascular disease prevention.
Sandra B. Dunbar, DSN, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Chair
Council on Cardiovascular Nursing
American Heart Association
The World Heart Federation strongly emphasizes the importance of collaborative activities between governments, professional societies, foundations, and health care providers directed toward the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In this setting, the role of nursing is critical to the development of a successful team and to the achievement of optimal patient outcomes. This statement provides an important foundation for the development of international programs that can truly benefit activities focused on the prevention of cardiovascular events.
Sidney C. Smith Jr, MD, FACC, FAHA, FESC
President
World Heart Federation
The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.