Recalibrating time and space: women's challenges of living with heart failure

Abstract

The progressive and demanding nature of heart failure has a significant impact on the daily life of all individuals. Gender-related differences exist in diagnosis, management and home-based support, whereby women's needs have been either managed less aggressively or overlooked. Minimal research has been conducted on the everyday challenges for women who are living in the community with heart failure. The researchers of this interpretive research encouraged the seven women who volunteered for this study to talk about their day-to-day challenges. The interviews were interpreted through a process informed by Heideggerian hermeneutics, whereby the three themes of recalibrating time and space, balancing pathways of wishing and hoping and practicality, and acknowledging loss in persevering through uncertainty were uncovered. The findings of this research may be utilized in assisting and preparing women to think and plan ahead by considering some decisions others make while taking on a new path in responding to the symptoms associated with heart failure.