Users' Experiences During Cardiac Recovery Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Qualitative Study With a Gender Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim To explore, including from a gender perspective, how people who have suffered a myocardial infarction describe the changes they need to adopt during the recovery phase following hospital discharge. Design Qualitative interpretive phenomenological study. Method Purposive theoretical sampling strategy with maximum variation. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with subsequent thematic analysis of semantic content, with deductive coding based on relevant aspects identified in the scientific literature and inductive coding on emerging codes in interviewees' discourse. Data Sources The interviews were conducted between March 2022 and December 2023. Results The participants had an average age of 61 years. A total of nine participants were interviewed. Four of these were women. No one identified as non‐binary. Three themes were identified: initiation of one's own resources, engagement with one's own emotions, and follow‐up by the health team. Conclusion In this sample, both men and women initially described motivation to assume responsibility for their self‐care and lifestyle changes. Women reported greater difficulties in returning to work and maintaining physical activity, which may contribute to increased vulnerability during recovery. These findings may help inform nurse‐led cardiac rehabilitation programmes that respond to patients' real needs.