The quality of life of patients with atrial fibrillation

Izhodišča: Atrijska fibrilacija je ena najpogostejših motenj srčnega ritma. S starostjo se tveganje za pojav atrijske fibrilacije veča. Zaradi mnogih simptomov in zapletov je kakovost življenja bolnikov z atrijsko fibrilacijo slabša. Namen diplomskega dela je ugotoviti, kako atrijska fibrilacija vpliva na kakovost življenja bolnikov in kakšne so njihove omejitve. Raziskovalne metode: Uporabili smo deskriptivno metodo in kvantitativno metodo dela, delno tudi kvalitativno metodo. Kot instrument raziskovanja je uporabljen anketni vprašalnik. Vzorec raziskave je zajemal 51 bolnikov z atrijsko fibrilacijo. Rezultati: Ugotovili smo, da 31,4 % anketiranih bolnikov z atrijsko fibrilacijo doživlja palpitacije dnevno, in da pri 33,5 % palpitacije trajajo več kot eno minuto. Težave z dihanjem navaja polovica anketiranih, najpogosteje se pojavijo težave pri opravljanju težkega dela v 35,3 %. Največji vpliv na njihovo življenje ima atrijska fibrilacija pri težjih aktivnostih, kjer jih najbolj ovira. Večina sodelujočih v raziskavi (31,4 %) je bila popolnoma samostojnih. Diskusija in zaključek: Atrijska fibrilacija je najpogostejša pri starejših ljudeh in ima velik vpliv na njihovo kakovost življenja. S pomočjo različnih tehnik zdravljenja in razreševanja simptomov, je življenje z atrijsko fibrilacijo veliko lažje, prav tako se informirani bolniki naučijo živeti z boleznijo in njenimi omejitvami.Background: Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders. Its incidence increases with age. Because of the various symptoms and complications induced by the disorder, the quality of life of the patient decreases. The purpose of this thesis is to observe how atrial fibrillation affects the quality of life of patients and to determine their limitations, caused by the disorder. Research methods: We applied a descriptive and quantitative study method for our research. A part of the results was also obtained by a qualitative study method. The medium used for the acquisition of information was a survey questionnaire. The sample size of the survey is 51 patients afflicted by atrial fibrillation. Results: Our study has shown that 31,4 % of the surveyed patients afflicted with atrial fibrillation experience heart palpitations daily, and that in 33,5 % of the cases, the palpitations last longer than one minute. The study has shown that a half of the surveyed patients experience breathing difficulties. In most cases, the difficulties occur during more demanding activitiesexperienced by 35,3 % of the surveyed patients. Atrial fibrillation has the biggest impact on their life during more demanding activitiesthis is when the disorder brings about most of the limitations. Most of the surveyed patients (31,4 %) are fully independent. Discussion and conclusion: Atrial fibrillation most commonly afflicts the elderly population. The disorder has a strong impact on their quality of life. The lives of patients afflicted by atrial fibrillation can be improved by applying various methods of treatment and symptom resolution. Additionally, well-informed patients can learn to live with the disorder and adapt to their limitations