Self-care as a symptom management strategy in people with heart failure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2025.89629Keywords:
Heart failure, signs and symptoms, self-care, nursingAbstract
Objective: to evaluate strategies adopted for symptom management in people with heart failure. Method: descriptive, qualitative-quantitative study conducted at a University Hospital in Paraná with individuals diagnosed with heart failure. Data collection instruments included sociodemographic and clinical data, open interviews, and the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale, analyzed through content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results: the average score on the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale among 81 participants was 32.8 (+6.4). Rest, medication adherence, and rest in case of shortness of breath were the most common self-care behaviors. Five thematic categories emerged: adherence to medical prescriptions and seeking healthcare services; self-medication; rest and waiting for improvement; use of complementary therapies; and healthy habits. Conclusion: the main strategies for symptom management were adherence to medical prescriptions, seeking healthcare services, self-medication, rest and waiting for symptom improvement, use of complementary therapies, and the introduction and maintenance of healthy habits.
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