Experiences of People with Cardiovascular Disease during COVID-19 in Sweden : A Qualitative Study
(2023) In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20(8).- Abstract
Although people with cardiovascular conditions were subjected to more rigorous restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited knowledge of how the restrictions affected their lives and well-being. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe how people with cardiovascular conditions experienced their life situation and physical and mental health during the second wave of the pandemic in Sweden. Fifteen participants (median age 69 years; nine women) were individually interviewed, and data were analyzed with systematic text condensation. The findings revealed that some of the participants were fearful of contracting COVID-19 as their medical condition made them vulnerable. Additionally, the restrictions changed their daily... (More)
Although people with cardiovascular conditions were subjected to more rigorous restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited knowledge of how the restrictions affected their lives and well-being. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe how people with cardiovascular conditions experienced their life situation and physical and mental health during the second wave of the pandemic in Sweden. Fifteen participants (median age 69 years; nine women) were individually interviewed, and data were analyzed with systematic text condensation. The findings revealed that some of the participants were fearful of contracting COVID-19 as their medical condition made them vulnerable. Additionally, the restrictions changed their daily routines and their ability to take part in social activities, as well as their access to specialized outpatient care (medical check-ups and physiotherapy). Although emotional and psychological distress were present, several participants found strategies that reduced their worries, such as exercising and meeting friends outdoors. However, some had adopted a more sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diets. These findings indicate that healthcare professionals should provide individualized support to persons with cardiovascular diseases in order to find well-functioning emotion- and problem-focused strategies aimed at improving physical and mental health during crises such as pandemics.
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- author
- Sjödahl Hammarlund, Catharina LU ; Norlander, Anna LU and Brogårdh, Christina LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023-04
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- activities of daily living, cardiovascular conditions, COVID-19, mental health, physical health
- in
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- volume
- 20
- issue
- 8
- article number
- 5588
- publisher
- MDPI AG
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:37107869
- scopus:85153964636
- ISSN
- 1661-7827
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijerph20085588
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- c8fbdb0f-6f9f-4674-a3fc-9502e310c10b
- date added to LUP
- 2023-07-12 16:06:55
- date last changed
- 2024-04-19 23:20:08
@article{c8fbdb0f-6f9f-4674-a3fc-9502e310c10b,
abstract = {{<p>Although people with cardiovascular conditions were subjected to more rigorous restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited knowledge of how the restrictions affected their lives and well-being. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe how people with cardiovascular conditions experienced their life situation and physical and mental health during the second wave of the pandemic in Sweden. Fifteen participants (median age 69 years; nine women) were individually interviewed, and data were analyzed with systematic text condensation. The findings revealed that some of the participants were fearful of contracting COVID-19 as their medical condition made them vulnerable. Additionally, the restrictions changed their daily routines and their ability to take part in social activities, as well as their access to specialized outpatient care (medical check-ups and physiotherapy). Although emotional and psychological distress were present, several participants found strategies that reduced their worries, such as exercising and meeting friends outdoors. However, some had adopted a more sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diets. These findings indicate that healthcare professionals should provide individualized support to persons with cardiovascular diseases in order to find well-functioning emotion- and problem-focused strategies aimed at improving physical and mental health during crises such as pandemics.</p>}},
author = {{Sjödahl Hammarlund, Catharina and Norlander, Anna and Brogårdh, Christina}},
issn = {{1661-7827}},
keywords = {{activities of daily living; cardiovascular conditions; COVID-19; mental health; physical health}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{8}},
publisher = {{MDPI AG}},
series = {{International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}},
title = {{Experiences of People with Cardiovascular Disease during COVID-19 in Sweden : A Qualitative Study}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085588}},
doi = {{10.3390/ijerph20085588}},
volume = {{20}},
year = {{2023}},
}