Exploring the self-care experiences of adults with heart failure in Australia: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Heart failure is a complex, progressive syndrome that requires long-term management. This study aimed to understand the self-care experiences of community-dwelling adults with heart failure in Australia.Methods: Nine participants were recruited via social media and notifications by community heart support organisations in Australia. Participants were invited to participate in an interview via video call or telephone. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were constructed, offering insight into self-care practices: 1) how participants described self-care practices as a means of adjusting the visibility of heart failure in their daily lives, 2) the significance of personal and societal understanding of self-care, and 3) the relational dynamics of self-care.Conclusion: This study contributes contextualised insights into heart failure self-care, identifying how promoting agency and social connections while challenging existing understandings of heart failure and support systems may provide potential avenues for exploration in supporting self-care. Adopting a person-centred and holistic perspective must be prioritised for effective support of people with heart failure.