Elderly with cardiac disease: analysis of current nursing literature

Demographic trends clearly indicate that the Canadian population is aging. As well, cardiovascular disease is the most common chronic disease in the elderly. The purpose of this project was to undertake a systematic and comprehensive review of nursing literature published from 1980 to 1992 on cardiac disease in the elderly. To date, no critical analysis of nursing knowledge in this area has been conducted. Thirty-eight articles were found to meet the inclusion criteria and were reviewed according to purpose, subject characteristics, variables studied, research method employed, scientific and/or theoretical merit, and relevance for practice. What is known concerning the elderly with cardiac disease, along with recommendations for future nursing research, are presented. Information about the quantity and quality of literature related to cardiac disease in the elderly is important for the development of a scientific base for nursing practice.