Not falling off the planet : womens' experiences of recovery after a heart attack and cardiac rehabilitation

Abstract

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in industrialised countries. There have been major changes in world wide population demographics with an increase in heart disease in those over sixty five years of age. The incidence of coronary heart disease in women increases with age. There has been little research into cardiovascular disease in women; treatment and rehabilitation programs have mainly been focused towards men and their needs. The population for this study consisted of women who had a heart attack for the first time, and who had attended cardiac rehabilitation. The sample was therefore purposeful, to include women who had experienced the phenomenon being studied. Six women, ranging in age from fifty five to sixty seven were interviewed. A combination of methods was incorporated to analyse the women's experiences and to organise the data. Four major themes emerged from the data: loss of autonomy; coping ; role changes and expectations; and changed relationships. The loss of autonomy felt by these women incorporated feelings of restrictions, dependence, loss of control and loss of self. The theme of role changes and expectations incorporated impediement of role and different roles. The last theme explored was changed relationships and incorporated thinking of others, family involvement and guilt and anger versus gratitude. Implications of the research include restructuring education and counselling programs to suit women's needs, evaluation of cardiac programs, recognition of family and friend's involvement in the recovery process. There needs to be encouragement of open communication between all concerned about problems coping with roles, expectations, limitations and family involvement. Suggestions for future research include a larger study being attended, with different sociocultural, economic and age group participants. Family and friend's involvement and viewpoint into the recovery process and cardiac rehabilitation would also help enrich health professionals' knowledge base.

Date of Award	1999
Original language	English