In their study, Bispo, De Lima Lopes, and De Barros (2013) sought to identify previous work on cardiovascular changes that arose from human sexual activities and how patients, hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, were diagnosed with sexual dysfunction. To do this, the authors used an integrative literature review as the research design to identify why the patients, diagnosed with myocardial infarction, continually experienced sexual dysfunction; and why the problem was endemic amongst the aged population. The study primarily used secondary databases such as, PubMed, Medline, and Lilac as well as national and international articles published from the year 2000 to 2012. The study found that patients with coronary heart problems were going through sexual dysfunction attributable to: fear of suffering another myocardial infarction or side effects arising from medication. It also found out that a number of cardiovascular transformations arise during sex and arousal. Resultantly, the study concluded that people’s lives are negatively affected by sexual dysfunction; and as such, when establishing one’s quality of life, medicine and clinical practice should integrate the delivery of assistance to cardiovascular patients, particularly after a case of myocardial infarction (Bispo, De Lima Lopes, & De Barros, 2013).
Type of the Article and the Target Audience
This was an archetypal research study aimed at advancing knowledge about myocardial infarction for clinical practitioners. It incorporates all the requirements of research, such as the research guiding questions, design method, analysis of database, interpretation, and presentation of findings. From the findings, it was evident that the research throughput was aimed at benefitting the field of medicine and medical practitioners. In the study, Bispo, De Lima Lopes, and De Barros (2013) depicted how crucial sexual health is important in leading a quality life. However, they extensively arrayed a concern about how the sex subject is often avoided or superficially addressed as a taboo. Even though health workers are aware of their professional task to put it forward when dealing with patients, about their sexual lives, they usually feel uncomfortable, consequently not enabling patients to expound on their sexual issues. Of importance, was for the nurses to proactively be aware of occurrence of the said dysfunctions and properly offer a proficient guidance (Bispo, De Lima Lopes, & De Barros, 2013). The study conferred that sexual activity actually, but slightly, made both heart rate and blood pressure increase in healthy individuals. Moreover, oxygen consumption increased potentially, worsening the progress of the disease; further setting forth the sexual activity risks and urgency with which it must be identified.
Comprehensiveness of the Article
The article is profoundly straightforward to understand because of its clear-cut coverage of the subject. It pinpoints the research questions such that any reader is introduced to its objective. Its detailed background information serves to enhance the meaning of the study conducted. Research design, methodology, data analysis, interpretation, and presentation of results are objectively completed to help the study’s validity and relevance. Furthermore, the article has not only extensively covered the research, but has also made it easy for readers to use short-structured sentences effectively, illustrating detailed information. Any reader is aroused by its informative nature as it deals with contentious, yet expressly less fancied, topics of sexual activity particularly tuck in matters of health. Recommendations have been clearly presented; especially on the sections the study lacked sufficient resources. Being so interesting, it could attract readers to undertake more research on the subject.
Things Learned from the Article
Thorough reading of the article enables one to deduce some important lessons. For clinical practitioners, it helps to improve their discussions on sexual activities with patients. Nurses are encouraged to orient their patients to sexual counseling compassionately, which consequently improves their marital life and reduces anxiety and other psychological conditions. It is worth to note that patients suffering from myocardial infarction refrain from previous daily activities, especially on sexual front, with fear of adverse problems such as chest pains or death. However, the study shows that metabolic or cardiovascular effects to sexual activity are related to arousal as opposed to physical effort (Bispo, De Lima Lopes, & De Barros, 2013). In addition, the study explicates that the risk of myocardial infarction and arrhythmia is significantly minimal when sexual activities are carried out in a familiar and friendly setting and with a trusted partner. Finally, the three step process pointed out how to manage patients and stratify cardiovascular risk. The process involves incorporation of evaluation of sexual function in male cardiovascular evaluation. High-risk patients are also supposed to be stabilized before they can start sexual activity again, while regular cardiovascular risks evaluation for erectile dysfunction patients is to be emphasized (Bispo, De Lima Lopes, & De Barros, 2013).
Usefulness of the Article in Clinical Practice
Consequently, the above information is essential in clinical practice as it not only equips professionals with added knowledge, but also efficiently reduces the prevalence of cardiovascular conditions and other sexual dysfunction problems. For instance, extensive sexual counseling across all genders and age is helpful in addressing sexual health, as people are encouraged to have regular health check-ups, as well as, depict honesty whenever they talk to nurses.
The Article is Evidence Based and Leaves one Wanting to Learn More
The study is a perfect example of evidence-based practice as it relies on previously researched content: It is an integration of individual professional expertise, intensive patient examination, and evaluation, and uses necessary resources for positive patient results. Patient preferences and values are well demonstrated, while seeking to engage them in sufficient sexual activity talk. In addition, the article develops a high level of suspense for the reader. The sexual activity topic is an interesting one to discuss, and this article explicitly associates it to health benefits.
Conclusion and Summary of What was Learned
In sum, good health is a major aspect in improving one’s quality of life. Clinical practitioners must identify sexual activity risks in acute myocardial infarctions patients and consequently offer guidance in spite of the nature of the topic. Sexual counseling is important, even though nurses continue to face a major challenge on how to establish discussions with patients. Furthermore, the study recommends the use of guide manuals and tutorial videos to establish comfort in providing guidance.
Reference
Bispo, G. S., De Lima Lopes, J., & De Barros, A. L. (2013). Cardiovascular changes resulting from sexual activity and sexual dysfunction after myocardial infarction: integrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22(23-24), 3522-3531. Web.