Self-Care Strategies For Patients With Chronic Heart Failure To Managing Their Problems

Abstract

Background :Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common chronic illness associated with substantial morbidity and mortality poor quality of life and frequent hospitalization .Aim of the study :was to determine self-care strategies used by patients for managing these problems, then proposed self-care strategies based on patients 'ability .Design :A descriptive exploratory research design was used .Subjects: A purposive sample of 100 patients with CHF admitted to cardiology clinic at Makkah hospital .Data collection tool :Interview questionnaire sheet .Results : Physiological problems related to respiratory system 100%, 100% %96& of patients experienced cough, bluish lips & cardiac asthma respectively, related to cardiovascular 100% %100 & of patients experienced hypertension & change in nail shape respectively, related to nervous system 98% %100& of patients experienced blurred vision & spend time till getting sleep respectively related to gastrointestinal system 100% %100 & of patients experienced nausea, vomiting & anorexia respectively, related to execratory system 92% of patients experienced urine incontinence, psychological problems 100%    %98 & of patients experienced anxiety & depression respectively, social problems 98% of them had financial burden and more than half 66% of them had satisfactory level of self-care strategies .Conclusion :The problems experienced by the patients with CHF are: physiological problems related to different body systems respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, gastrointestinal and execratory system in addition to the problems related to side effect of received treatment, psychological and social problems. [1]Mean- while, more than half of them had satisfactory levels of self-care strategies for managing biopsychosocial problems experienced by such group of patients. Recommendation :There is a need for continuous educational programs for patients with CHF and their families about disease, and self-care strategies for managing their biopsychsocial problems.