Abstract:
The purposes of the study were mainly to describe the meaning of the heart, the illness and lifestyle patterns of the middle aged patients with Myocardial Infarction.This research employed a phenomenological qualitative method.The sample consisted of ten patients and seven caregivers. Ten patients aged between forty to fifty- nine years old were selected from the outpatients with Myocardial Infarction who had been registered for at least one year at one hospital in Phuket province.An in-depth interview was used to obtain the data and Colaizzi modification of the phenomenological method was used to analyse the data.
The results found that the participants gave five definitions for heart:life and the most important organ of the body; blood circulation center; body functioning center; blood pumping organ; no definition. As for their illness, the participants perceived their illness as follows: a coronary artery disease;a severe and dangerous disease; a wind disease; a disease of digestive track;a curable and incurable illness, a chronic disease that needs continuous treatment, a disease that needs an operation and high medical expenses. Regarding the causes of their illness, the patients viewed that there were several reasons: patient lifestyle and behavior; occupations; diabetes and hypertension; stress; heredity; failure to check health; supernatural power. As for the impact of illness on the patients life, the following was described by the patients: physical, emotional, and social impacts which affect their work performance; family role; economic and occupation burdens. After the patients were ill with Myocardial Infarction, their lifestyle patterns were changed as followed: self care by compliance with the treatment plan and recommendations of physicians; strict medical treatment plan; seeking information and knowledge of health care; acceptance of surgical treatment and observation of symptoms. Regarding the food- consumption of the patients, this was as follows: reduce fat, spicy, salty and sweet tastes; control food intake in each meal; eat more fruits and vegetables; select appropriate food when eating out, take herbal supplements; reduce the consumption of tea, coffee, tonic drinks, alcohol and tobacco. The patients physical activities included running, walking, cycling and stretching muscles. Most of them remained working and doing housework. However, some patients had to modify their lifestyle to suit the physical conditions. The patients ways to manage their stress consisted of the following: relaxation activities; modification of their feelings and emotions with the assistance of their family members. The patients also obtained social support from different sources: relatives, friends, family, health care providers, and other patients. The community provided various assistance, including information and consulting advice, facilities in health care and providing feedback to the patients. The patients spiritual health was raised by the following activities: donation and social activities; studying religious teachings and joining religious activities. The results of the study could increase our understanding of the lifestyle patterns of the middle aged patients with Myocardial Infarction. The knowledge will be useful to develop continuous care and rehabilitation for these patients.