ARYA Atherosclerosis Journal

Cardiovascular patients’ experiences of living with pacemaker: Qualitative study

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

Morteza Ghojazadeh 1
Saber Azami-Aghdash 2
Zahra Sohrab-Navi 3
Kasra Kolahdouzan 3

1 Associate Professor, Liver and Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 PhD Candidate, Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Students’ Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract
BACKGROUND: A pacemaker implantation is considered major life event for cardiovascular patients, so they will probably have very interesting experiences of living with this device. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of cardiovascular patients living with the pacemaker. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 27 patients were chosen through purposive sampling to achieve data saturation, and their experiences were examined using semi-structured interviews. The patients’ statements were recorded with their consent and analyzed using content analysis method. RESULTS: Participants’ experiences included three main themes: “Problems and limitations,” “feeling and dealing with pacemaker”, and “sources of comfort” and 10 sub-themes including: physical problems, financial problems, social problems, the first encounter, the feeling of living with the pacemaker, how to cope with pacemaker, satisfaction with pacemaker, good family support, hospital and hospital staff performance, and role of religious beliefs. CONCLUSION: Planning to solve social problems, identifying and changing feelings of patients using pacemakers, reinforcing the resources of comfort especially family support seem to be necessary steps for improving quality of life and impact of using pacemaker. 

Keywords

Cardio-Vascular Disease
Pacemaker
Experiences
ARYA Atherosclerosis Journal
Volume 11, Issue 5 - Serial Number 5
September and October 2015
Pages 281-288

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