Issues and Concerns of Individuals Living with Heart Failure

Abstract

Five million people in the United States have heart failure and approximately 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. About 22 percent of men and 46 percent of women will develop heart failure within 6 years of having a heart attack. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the issues and concerns of individuals living and coping with heart failure. Three participants volunteered to be in this grounded theory research study. Data collection and classic comparative analysis involved in-depth interviews, field notes, and theoretic memos. The core category was Learning to Live with HF and supporting categories were Maintaining Normalcy, Planning Ahead, and Changing Lifestyle. Participants often experienced loss of intimacy with loved ones or family members and were intimidated with discussing the topics with those outside of their comfort zone. Implications for nurses must include that some individuals with HF strive to maintain normalcy and thus may minimize their symptoms. These findings cannot be generalized to all individuals with heart failure.