title: Unexplained Chest Pain and Physical Activity: Balancing Between Existential Uncertainty and Certainty.
abstract: Chest pain is one of the most common complaints in medical settings, but the majority of cases have no detectable cause. Physical activity is recommended, but is one of the major avoidance behaviors in patients with coronary heart disease. The article aims at achieving an understanding of the meaning of physical activity for people with unexplained chest pain. Fifteen people were interviewed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach, with the results revealing four themes: "awareness of the influence of previous life experiences on the decision to be physically active," "unanswered questions related to physical activity and unexplained chest pain," "intertwinement of body and mind," and "physical activity as a source of personal growth." Comprehensive understanding was formulated as "Being physically active while living with unexplained chest pain means balancing between existential uncertainty and certainty." The results are discussed in relation to capability. It is suggested that health professionals adopt a person-centered approach.
authors: University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway ingrid.roysland@uis.no.
authors: Ingrid Ølfarnes
authors: IØ
authors: Røysland
authors: University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
authors: Febe
authors: F
authors: Friberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005086:Existentialism / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D012944:Social Support; D035501:Uncertainty; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ricoeur; exercise / physical activity; heart-health; illness and disease, experiences; pain; qualitative analysis; uncertainty