A cross-sectional study explored cardiovascular nurses' self-perceived cardiovascular risk factors, attitudes, perceived barriers toward physical activity, and their practices in promoting a healthy lifestyle by recommending physical activity to patients [30]. A convenience sample of full-time, part-time, and PRN nurses working consistently in U.S. cardiovascular units was recruited. Using validated instruments, data were collected via an online survey that assessed demographics, self-perceived CVD risk, physical activity habits, and health promotion practices.

Results revealed that a significant portion of the nurses in this case study (74.2%) had low self-perceived CVD risk, while 25.8% had higher risk scores. Most nurses (87.1%) fell below recommended physical activity levels, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to promote exercise within the nursing community. The study found that nurses with higher CVD knowledge scores were three times more likely to recommend exercise to patients. These findings indicate that enhancing nurses' CVD knowledge and addressing skill-related barriers may support greater health promotion practices.

The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between nurses' perceived health risks, knowledge of CVD, and health promotion behaviors. Many nurses perceive themselves as knowledgeable about CVD risk reduction, yet their physical activity habits do not align with this knowledge. Factors such as workplace environment, job type, and fatigue can hinder the application of this knowledge to personal health practices [5,22]. This understanding can enlighten healthcare professionals and guide the development of effective interventions to promote nurses' health and well-being.

This particular study found that the majority of nurses did not meet the recommended minimum 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week [31,32]. While some nurses engaged in light-to-moderate activities, it was often insufficient to provide the health benefits associated with regular exercise. Nurses working in highly demanding environments may overestimate their activity levels due to the physical nature of their work shifts [21]. Occupational activities such as walking during shifts were not continuous or vigorous enough to meet recommended guidelines, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to encourage leisure-time physical activity [8,15,33].

Accurate perception of personal CVD risk is essential for motivating health behavior change. Previous studies have shown a positive correlation between individual or family history of CVD and perceived risk, but this does not always translate into healthier behaviors [12,18]. The current study found no significant differences between high-risk and low-risk groups regarding knowledge, perceived risk, or intention to change behaviors.

Perceived barriers, such as a lack of energy and time, were frequently reported among this sample, consistent with other research indicating that long work hours, high stress, and external responsibilities can impede nurses' engagement in physical activity [5,22]. Addressing these barriers through targeted interventions is crucial to support nurses' health and their ability to effectively counsel patients on adopting healthy lifestyles.