Lived Experience on Lifestyle Modification of Patients with Old Myocardial Infarction at a University Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Realizing the advantages of lifestyle modification after myocardial infarction (MI) requires active lifestyle change. Sometimes patients find it difficult to follow the recommendations for lifestyle changes, which are crucial for all MI patients to implement in order to lower the risk of secondary attack. This study aimed to explore the real-world experiences of post MI patients who had changed their lifestyles at a university hospital. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted among 20 purposively selected post MI patients. The patients who had confirmed medical diagnosis as old MI, had admitted in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital for more than a week, and had willingness to take participation in this study, were considered as the study subjects. Data was collected through an open ended semi-structured questionnaire by face to face interview. Using qualitative content analysis, the interview transcripts were examined at the same time as the data was being gathered. Results: Out of 20 study subjects, 55% were male and 60% were Muslim. Participants age was ranging from 36-70 years. Two themes namely adjustment with modified life and mal-adjustment with normal life were emerged as the lived experiences on lifestyle modification of patients with old Myocardial Infarction. Conclusion: It is concluded that patients with post-MI can have both good and bad experiences during the period of lifestyle modification.