Stressful Life Events and Heart Failure: A Mixed-Method Study to Analyze the Patient's Perspective

The challenge in heart failure medical practice is to address the clinical and laboratory method integrations for the shared decision-making process in caring for patients and families. Furthermore, stressful life events may worsen outcomes in patients with heart failure. This study aimed to explore patient perceptions regarding cardiac care analyzing the individual needs and features of adverse life event experiences.

A mixed-methods design was used in this study. This quantitative research focuses on clinical (medical and psychological) data. Giorgi's phenomenological method was applied to the interview analysis.

Qualitative analyses highlighted the role of patient-engagement strategies powered by cardiologists in a personalized approach that favors adherence to complex medical therapies. Active patient involvement and associated engagement based on cardiologists' confidence are focal points for facilitating management-therapy strategies to improve outcomes and reduce the perception of the frailty burden. The quality of therapeutic relationships with cardiologists is a key protective factor for accurate risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making in patients, addressing the potential benefits of therapeutic interventions.

In conclusion, the engaged patient contributes to more efficient cardiological care and the personalized patient-centered approach leads to the more efficient 'cure and care' clinical model. In adverse life events, acute psychological and physiological stress responses intensify detrimental outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disorders. Integrative management of physical risks and mental resilience factors in the development of cardiac disease appears to be strategic for patients with a positive quality of life (QoL) and clinical management of heart failure (HF).