Facing the unexpected - A content analysis of how dyads face the challenges of postoperative heart failure

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the challenges, strategies and needs of dyads who are dealing with postoperative heart failure. Background: An increasing number of patients with postoperative heart failure are living with their partner as primary caregiver. Heart failure is known to reduce quality of life but little is known about the strategies dyads use to cope with postoperative heart failure or what kind of support they need. Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured dialogue guides. Content analysis was performed to derive the main themes and categories of the data. Results: Three main themes were derived from the data; Everyday challenges, Strategies to deal with everyday challenges and Factors facilitating everyday life . Conclusions: Dyads living with postoperative heart failure find the change in everyday life challenging, but have strategies to handle the situation and know what kind of help they need. With the right help from health care, quality of life and self-care can be improved.