“If You Look Closely, You Have Everything …”: Ideas of a Good Life Among Middle-Aged Individuals With Heart Disease: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Heart disease at an early or middle age is critical, especially when accompanied by an acute cardiac event with or without sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Owing to this situation, patients describe changes in their health-related quality of life as well as in their future plans and goals. This study examined changes in ideas of a good life due to heart disease treated in an acute hospital. In our study, 16 patients aged 30-59 years were included. Among them, four had SCA, seven myocardial infarction, and five other serious cardiac conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmia. Advanced chronic heart failure was noted in five, and four had implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Phenomenological semi-structured interviews of 50-100 min each were conducted with a purposive sample and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The ideas of a good life and changes in future lifestyle following a serious heart disease were reported by patients. These experiences were summarized into five superordinate themes: "My bodily trust is gone," "Simply living a modest life," "Actively shaping my life again," "Being more in contact with relevant people," and "Grateful for the gift of my new life." Living a more modest life and actively shaping life again are two new aspects of the ideas of a good life. Further studies should be conducted in cardiac patients with lower disease burden and young patients with congenital heart disease, with a focus on sex-specific issues.