The Experience of Living with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is seen in about 1,000,000 Americans, and each year there are approximately 35,000 infants bom with a cardiac defect (American Heart Association [AHA], 2008a). The purpose of this thesis was to explore the experience of adults living with congenital heart disease and their quality of life. Data were collected from two female English-speaking adults from Montana. The phenomenological method was selected to get an understanding of the individuals’ everyday experiences of living with CHD. The lived experience of CHD was described with the following themes: (a) seeking a diagnosis, (b) fear and uncertainty, (c) ongoing treatment, and (d) reclaiming health. The findings of this study can help nurses to understand the struggles that individuals with CHD go through on a daily basis.