title: Women's experiences of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a short-term perspective--a qualitative content analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a reversible condition mimicking acute myocardial infarction. The phenomenon is associated with emotional and physical stressful trigger events. Evidence-based patient counselling should be based on disease-specific knowledge of patient experiences.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to describe women's experiences of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a short-term perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was explorative and descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 women diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, 1 day to 9 months after hospitalisation. The transcriptions underwent qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main theme that emerged was Takotsubo cardiomyopathy as a continuous process of making sense and adapting. To begin with, understanding and coping with signs and symptoms were described as having a diversity of signs and symptoms, taking actions towards signs and symptoms, receiving treatment for suspected ST/non ST-elevation myocardial infarction diagnosis and finally being diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Understanding the context of illness was expressed as getting treated for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy diagnosis and having previous stressful conditions of life. The changing perspective that emanated was a combination of having prospects and expectations and experiencing limitations. Finally, managing to live with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was manifested as returning home with the illness and receiving follow-up health care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Information on regaining prior health status and capacity within a short-term perspective may not be accurate. These women struggle and require education and counselling from healthcare professionals to comprehend and manage having a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy diagnosis. Women experiencing Takotsubo cardiomyopathy may be a target group for holistic and individual health care with a longer duration of follow-up.
authors: Institute of Nursing, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway.|Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Rønnaug M
authors: RM
authors: Dahlviken
authors: Institute of Nursing, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway.|School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors: Bengt
authors: B
authors: Fridlund
authors: Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Oslo, Norway.|Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Mathisen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; content analysis; holistic nursing; patient experiences; sense of coherence; women