Att leva med hjärtsvikt : Patienters upplevelser

Sammanfattning: Background: Patients with heart failure are a common patient group in many caring facilities. Previous research shows that the number of heart failure patients may increase in the future and that nurses do not have enough knowledge of how to treat patients with heart failure. Aim: To describe patients’ experiences of living with heart failure. Method: A literature study with descriptive synthesis. Result: Patients with heart failure may experience a change in life. These changes are limitations in performing physical activities which may result in increased stress on relatives and friends. Patients can feel that they are a burden as they become more dependent on others. Heart failure causes patients to experience anxiety and fear in their lives. Despite adverse consequences of heart failure, patients can accept the situation and thereby experience well-being. Conclusion: lack of knowledge, bodily and emotional changes were the root cause of patients experiencing a change in life due to heart failure. Nurses can help patients deal with the new life through support and good information. They should be perceptive to patients' experiences and can therefore promote patient’s well-being.