Aims and objectives The aim of the study was to examine patients’ experience of dietary habits and nutritional counselling in the early period during hospitalisation after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Background Undergoing CABG, patients have two different nutritional needs, extra proteins and calories for the first period after surgery and a heart‐healthy diet when the recovery period is over. These needs can be difficult to manage for the patients. Design Qualitative study. Methods Interviews were conducted and analysed within a phenomenological‐hermeneutic frame inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur. Patients undergoing CABG were interviewed 4–5 days after surgery at Odense University Hospital from March to May, 2017. The study adhered to the COREQ guidelines. Results In total, 15 patients were interviewed (mean age 65 years, 87% men). After analysing the interviews following themes emerged, “Different needs—the nutritional jungle”, “Food and heart—the lacking attention,” and “The force of habits—being under the influence from spouses on dietary habits”. Conclusion The interviewed patients had no or only a little knowledge about how to eat after heart surgery. In general, they experienced a lack of attention to nutritional counselling by the nursing staff during hospitalisation. Furthermore, the health behaviour of men seems to be different from women's, and therefore, interventions aiming at optimising men's health might be prioritised. Finally, spouses have a great influence on eating habits, why they should be involved in nutritional counselling. Relevance to clinical practice This study provides important and relevant knowledge about patients’ lacking knowledge about nutrition. When planning nutritional measures, whether it is promoting healing after heart surgery or preventing progression of arteriosclerosis, the study contributes with suggestions as to which factors should be considered in this process—men's health behaviour and spouses’ influence on dietary habits in the household.
Aims Globally, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading causes of mortality among men, and the health management of men is pivotal to prevention and recovery. Many men delay help-seeking and lack knowledge of disease symptomologies. Thus, the aim was to explore how men experience and manage their health while suffering from ischaemic heart disease and having received treatment with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and results The study applied a qualitative approach designed within a phenomenological–hermeneutical methodology. Interviews were conducted between April and November 2019 with a criterion sample of 21 male patients within 1–2 weeks post-discharge. The analysis was guided by Paul Ricoeur’s theory of text interpretation. After analysing the interviews, the following themes were identified: A functioning body as health, illuminating how a functioning body leads to a feeling of independence; misinterpreting signs of illness showing how symptoms are interpreted as signs of ageing rather than disease; and navigating life with ischaemic heart disease focusing on how men retain or maintain health after the threat to life. Conclusion The findings of this study provide insight into men’s health and their health management: illuminating how a functioning body can give men a sense of freedom and control, making it difficult to interpret signs of illness, and thus, failing to seek help and feel motivated to make changes when facing a serious health threat. These perspectives should be considered when planning future care and communication with male patients.
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