Heart failure occurs when the cardiac muscles of the heart cannot efficiently pump blood from the heart to the rest of the body as a result of fat deposits on the walls of the blood vessels. This disease has adversely affected the developing countries with a high prevalence rate among the older generations. Patients suffering from heart failure have been affected physically, psychologically, and mentally. Their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has significantly been lowered hence they require attention, motivation, and proper medical care.
The intensity or degree of impact of this infection on the quality of life (HRQOL) mainly depends on several factors, such as the age of the patient, gender, mental strength, among other factors (Zambroski, 2005). Statistics have shown that women tend to be more vulnerable to heart failure when it comes to mental and psychological health. The research was carried out to identify factors that determine health-related issues regarding the quality of life among patients suffering from heart failure. They collected data from one hundred and thirty patients using various instruments; for example, the psychological health of the patient was measured using Mental Health SF-36. Other variables were also obtained during the interviews with the patients, then a statistical data analysis was done on the collected data using some computer software.
After analysis, it was determined that psychological factors, such as stress and depression, have an impact on the quality of life of patients suffering from heart failure. The patient’s physical appearance was a major sign of the patient’s health that resulted in his/her well-being and was related to the degree of severity of heart failure.
This information provided could be used in nursing practice to improve management and implement an effective healthcare system for patients with heart failure. It also focuses on the importance of improving the mental status and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure.
Reference
Zambroski, C. H. (2005). Impact of Symptom Prevalence and Symptom Burden on Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure. Hoboken, NJ; John Wiley and Sons, Inc.