Adherence to cardiac therapy for men with coronary artery disease

A study developed and executed within Orem's (1995) Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing uncovered factors that influence men's adherence to cardiac therapy. Data obtained from individual audiotaped interviews with five men 60 to 70 years of age in northwestern Ohio were analyzed using Colaizzi's (1978) method. Specific self-care factors, possessed by all the men and responsible for facilitating and inhibiting adherence to cardiac therapy, were found within the components for self-care agency and basic conditioning factors. Identification of these factors is critical, as the completion of the requirements of the prescribed cardiac therapy regimen can assist persons in achieving maximal cardiac efficiency while promoting independence, which ultimately affects their self-care agency. This study makes valuable contributions by (a) becoming aware of factors that influence men's adherence to cardiac therapy, (b) offering direction for interventions focused on self-care, and (c) serving as an impetus for further research.