title: The lived experience of middle-aged women with New York Heart Association class III heart failure: a pilot study.
abstract: Although heart failure (HF) is equally prevalent in men and women, women with HF are more likely to report decreased quality of life and are more likely to die of the disease compared with men. Moreover, HF has been studied less extensively in women and no study has specifically addressed women with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III HF using a qualitative method. This pilot study sought to gain insight into the lived experience of women with NYHA class III HF. Using a phenomenological approach, interviews obtained from 4 middle-aged women with NYHA class III HF were analyzed using the Giorgi method of data analysis. Five themes emerged: (1) developing a new conception of self, (2) conceding physical limitations, (3) enduring emotional heartache, (4) accepting support, and (5) rejuvenating through rest. This study provides a beginning to our understanding of the lived experience of women with NYHA class III HF. However, further exploration is needed to increase our knowledge of HF in women, particularly among diverse populations.
authors.affiliation: School on Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. jenall@umich.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer Wayment
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arslanian-Engoren
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lynch-Sauer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health