Introduction. Osteoarthritis is a civilization disease. About 8 million people suffer from osteoartthritis in Poland. Clinical practice has shown that perioperative nursing care is just as important as the choice of the prosthesis and its durability. US data show that the number of people over 65 will grow from 25 to 30% of the population over the next 30 years. Most orthopedic surgery and vascular surgery are performed at this age. Hip surgery is classified as an indirect risk for perioperative mortality and cardiovascular complications. Particular attention should be paid to the qualification of patients with cardiovascular disease for hip arthroplasty. Aim. The aim of the study is to show the role of nursing care both in the preoperative and postoperative period in patients qualified for hip replacement.

Key words: preoperative and postoperative care, hip joint endoprosthesis, cardiovascular complications.