SELF-CARE BEHAVIOR EXPERIENCE FOR HEART ATTACK PREVENTION IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME PATIENT

Abstract

The rate of heart attack recurrence in patients with acute coronary syndrome is still high.  Appropriate self-care behavior must be implemented so that patients avoid recurrence and prevent complications.  This study aimed to explore the experience of self-care behavior carried out by acute coronary syndrome patients to prevent heart attacks.  The research was conducted using a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach.  A total of ten patients with the acute coronary syndrome who were taken by purposive sampling technique were used as research samples.  Semi-structured interviews were conducted for the process of collecting data.  Data analysis was carried out by compiling a transcript of the interview results.  The results showed that there were four themes of self-care behavior carried out by patients with acute coronary syndromes in preventing heart attacks, namely doing light physical activity, limiting consumption of high-salt and fatty foods and increasing vegetable consumption, stress management by motivating yourself and increasing prayer, routinely control and take medication.  Appropriate self-care behaviors, including physical activity, diet management, stress management, checking health services, and taking regular medication, are significant for patients with acute coronary syndromes to prevent heart attacks.