Coping with myocardial infarction

Abstract

This study explored the impact and coping of five middle-aged men who experienced their first time myocardial infarction six - twelve months from the start of the interviews. A phenomenological approach was chosen to provide an in-depth understanding of the patients' experience of myocardial infarction through semi-structured interviews. A significant theme is the emotional reactions these particular participants passed through and the various coping strategies they used to adapt so as to achieve a sense of well-being. All the participants adopted an optimistic approach to this experience which helped them to minimise the impact this experience had on them. This study may help to provide further insight in the local context as to the experiences post-myocardial infarction individuals go through.