Moving Forward Despite Obstacles: A Qualitative Study on Healthy Lifestyle Adjustments Among Patients with Coronary
Li Cheng1,2, Wen-Ru Wang1, Lotta Wikström2
1School of Nursing, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Patients recovering from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) face challenges adopting healthy lifestyles. Understanding these experiences is key for healthcare providers to support sustained cardiovascular health improvements in China.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Lifestyle factors are critical for preventing recurrent cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
- Patient experiences in adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyles post-PCI are under-researched, particularly in China.
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) management requires understanding patient adaptation to lifestyle changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of patients with CHD in central China.
- To understand the process of adjusting to healthy lifestyles after their first PCI.
- To identify facilitators and barriers to lifestyle modification in this population.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative descriptive study design.
- Face-to-face interviews with 18 participants in central China (2022-2023).
- Thematic analysis of semi-structured interview data.
Main Results:
- Lifestyle adjustment post-PCI was characterized as "moving forward despite obstacles."
- Initial trust in medical advice and motivation from positive outcomes and family well-being were key.
- Challenges included cultural factors and co-existing physical health issues.
Conclusions:
- Healthy lifestyle adjustment post-PCI is crucial yet difficult.
- External and internal factors significantly influence behavioral changes.
- Healthcare professionals must support patients' experiences to foster sustained lifestyle changes.
Background:
Lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, smoking cessation, and stress management, are crucial for reducing the risk of recurrent cardiac events and promoting overall cardiovascular health. Despite their clinical significance, the experiences of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in adjusting to and maintaining these lifestyle changes after their first percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain relatively unexplored, especially in China. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the experiences of patients with CHD in central China as they make adjustments to healthy lifestyles following their first PCI.
Methods:
A qualitative descriptive study was designed. Eighteen participants from a regional teaching hospital in central China participated in the study conducted from 2022 to 2023. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews guided by semi-structured questions, resulting in five sub-themes and one main theme emerging from the thematic analysis.
Results:
Adjusting to a healthy lifestyle post-PCI was described as "moving forward despite obstacles", reflecting resilience and determination in overcoming challenges to improve health and well-being. The participants initially trusted their doctors' recommendations and became motivated by the positive effects of lifestyle changes and the desire to alleviate the burden of their loved ones. However, they also faced challenges related to Chinese traditional culture and other physical issues.
Conclusion:
Adjustment to a healthy lifestyle is essential but challenging. Our findings highlight the influence of external and internal factors on behavioural changes and underscore the need for health professionals to understand and support patients' experiences to inspire and sustain their lifestyle adjustments.
Trial Registration:
Not applicable.
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