Patient Perspectives on Living with Atrial Fibrillation and Interactions with Health Care Specialists in Cardiac Outpatient Clinics: A Qualitative Study

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects approximately 2% of the population globally. Patients with AF often lack knowledge about the disease and its symptoms, leading to uncertainty about when to seek medical attention. Lack of knowledge may negatively impact several aspects of daily living. AF treatment is complex and requires a high degree of medical adherence to prevent complications and poor health-related quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to gain increased knowledge of how patients with AF experience their encounters with health-care professionals. Method: We conducted a qualitative study with a phenomenological–hermeneutical approach. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed with systematic text condensation. Findings: Five women and five men with a mean age of 59.9 years and varying types of AF were included. The analysis resulted in four themes: 1. Balancing life with AF, 2. uncertainty as a companion in contacts with the hospital, 3. need to understand what is wrong with me, and 4. putting the heart in the right hands. Those patients with severe symptoms of AF wished to keep in contact with the hospital specialists to help feel less uncertainty. Across the participants, there was a trend toward reduced social and physical activity as a strategy to avoid provoking AF. Conclusion: Individualized patient education and access to health specialists play a critical role in how patients experience their capabilities in managing the challenges of everyday life with AF and persistent AF symptoms.