MALE-PATIENTS WITH CONGESTIVE-HEART-FAILURE AND THEIR CONCEPTION OF THE LIFE SITUATION

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) are an extensive group in Sweden both with regard to prevalence and number of medical care even ts. As the age of the population and survival after myocardial infarct ion are increasing, the incidence of CHF is also on the rise. The aim of this study is to describe, from a nurse's perspective, how male pat ients with CHF conceive their life situation. Interview questions were designed with a focus on five dimensions: the biophysical, the socio- cultural, the emotional, the intellectual, and the spiritual-existenti al. A qualitative method was used with a phenomenographic approach as it examines aspects of the surroundings as conceived, In the results, six categories emerged: feeling a belief in the future, gaining awaren ess, feeling support from the environment, feeling limitation, feeling a lack of energy and feeling resignation. The mental and physical lac k of energy which patients feel easily leads to limited working capaci ty and social activities. This limitation may cause patients with CHF to believe that neither they nor their environment can influence their life situation and there is a risk that these patients become resigne d, In order to help them get out of this vicious circle of limitation and resignation, it is important that the nurse teaches them self-care and shows them the possibilities that exist in everyday life, With in creased awareness of their life situation, patients may adapt to their CHF and see that it is possible to improve their future themselves.