The long-term experience of living with peripheral arterial disease and the recovery following revascularisation: A qualitative study

BackgroundThe long-term experience of living with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the durability of improvements after revascularisation are sparsely described in the literature. The primary goals of medical treatment and nursing care for PAD are to provide relief of symptoms, improve quality of life, and prevent the progression of arterial disease and cardiovascular complications. The majority of patients are elderly with a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Which can limit mobility and functional status even in the absence of ischaemic claudication, rest pain, or ulceration after a successful revascularisation.ObjectivesTo illuminate the long-term experience of living with PAD and the recovery following revascularisation.MethodsFourteen patients were interviewed 6 months and 212 years after revascularisation. The transcribed texts were analysed using manifest and latent content analysis.ResultsThe long-term experience of living with PAD meant gradually becoming aware of having a chronic disease. This was interpreted through the following themes, representing the transition from being in an acute phase of PAD to the recovery after revascularisation and entering a chronic phase of PAD: (I) ‘becoming better but not cured’; (II) ‘recapturing control over life’; (III) ‘reappraising meaning in life’.ConclusionsBecoming aware of having a chronic disease results in a need to adapt to and accept permanent restrictions in daily life. The findings showed that revascularisations offer several benefits. However, when PAD symptoms were relieved, other ailments became discernable, which reflects the complex course of PAD and atherosclerotic disease. Moreover, several critical points and events such as other concurrent diseases, unrealistic hopes for recovery, and the complex course of PAD and atherosclerotic disease complicated the transition process towards health and well-being.