Living With Moderate-Severe Chronic Heart Failure as a Middle-Aged Person

Abstract

In this article the authors describe a study focusing on middle-aged persons living with chronic heart failure (CHF), a group with which few studies have been conducted. They used the lifeworld perspective to focus on persons' lived experiences of the phenomenon, that is, living with moderate-severe CHF as a middle-aged person. They interviewed 7 middle-aged persons (4 men, 3 women; aged 38 to 65 years) and analyzed the data obtained using a phenomenological approach. The phenomenon's essence is described as a life situation characterized by a failing body, a life constantly under threat, a rapidly changing health condition, and an altered self-image, which implies that the persons live in a changed life situation. The essence was further illuminated by three meaning constituents: an ambiguity of the body, losing track of life, and balancing life. Knowledge from this study will help caregivers understand and support patients with this debilitating condition.

The Experience of Fatigue among Elderly Women with Chronic Heart Failure

“…These findings correspond with those of Nordgren et al [12] among middle-aged patients with CHF. This discrepancy between intention and capacity can be understood as a struggle between the willing spirit and the weak body.…”

“…This relationship is described as an implicit struggle, and can be compared to the writing by Leder of 'dys-appearance', [ [24], p 84 ff] in which the body demands attention via its dysfunction, and can be experienced as 'an obstinate force interfering with our projects' or as an alien thing. The tendency to objectify or alienate the body in chronic illness has been described among middleaged patients with fibromyalgia [19], and also among middle-aged patients with CHF, who also displayed feelings of altered self-image [12]. However, the elderly women in our study did not express loss of self-esteem, and neither did we find expressions of alienation from the body.…”

“…The descriptions of our informants were in accordance with existing definitions of fatigue [14,16], and with experiences reported by patients living with chronic illness [12,[17][18][19]. However, we did note some differences from earlier studies.…”

“…Patients with CHF have reported feelings about being fatigued which include annoyance, frustration, disappointment, fear, and anger, but also 'taking it in one's stride' [11]. Nordgren et al [12] found a constant presence of weakness and fatigue among middle-aged patients with CHF, including perceptions of the body as unfamiliar and objectified. Another study showed that elderly patients with severe CHF report that fatigue entails the need to rest and sleep in the daytime, and that the personal activities of daily living take much of their time and energy; the same study also pointed out the importance of support from others for managing the consequences of fatigue [4].…”

Received and needed social support in relation to sociodemographic and socio‐economic factors in a population of people on sick leave due to heart failure

“…Social capital, such as social support from family and friends or managers and colleagues at work, can buffer some negative effects that lower socio‐economic status can have on health 22. Furthermore, to feel valued and appreciated can have major impact on people's self‐image and identity 25. An improved self‐image can reduce the suffering of the individual, thus reducing anxiety, low mood, and depressive symptoms.…”