Experiencing the possibility of near death on a daily basis: A phenomenological study of patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a syndrome that greatly impacts people's lives. Due to the poor prognosis of CHF, together with the frequent exacerbations of symptoms, death is a topic that is very present in the lives of patients with CHF. OBJECTIVE: To explore thoughts about death experienced by patients with chronic heart failure in their daily lives. METHODS: A hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out. Conversational interviews were conducted with 20 outpatients with chronic heart failure. Analysis of the responses was based on the method proposed by van Manen. RESULTS: From the analysis, four main themes emerged: (1) Feeling afraid of the possibility of dying; (2) Acceptance of the possibility of death; (3) Desiring death for relief from suffering; and (4) Striving to continue living to enjoy family. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents, as a novel finding, that people with CHF experience the possibility of near death on a daily basis. This experience, which they must encounter on their own, makes them afraid. In addition, some of them, in view of the discomfort they are living, wish to die, with some even considering committing suicide.