‘There is always a way to living with illness’—Self‐management strategies reported by Chinese hospitalized patients with cardiovascular disease: A descriptive qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: Patients living with cardiovascular diseases use different strategies to solve various problems. This study aimed to identify the category, type and specific self‐management strategies reported by hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: This is a qualitative descriptive study. Twenty‐eight individuals with cardiovascular diseases from a Cardiology Department affiliated with a school in China were recruited by purposive sampling. Face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews were used. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, translated and analysed by using content analysis. RESULTS: Five self‐management strategy categories (medical and alternative therapy uptake, risk assessment and avoidance, resource seeking and utilization, maintaining normality, and optional management), and seventeen self‐management strategy types, encompassing one hundred and ten specific strategies were identified. The most commonly used self‐management strategy types were lifestyle adjustment (eleven strategies), self‐maintenance (nine strategies) and problem‐solving (nine strategies). Additionally, the most described explicit self‐management strategies were receiving family/colleague support, maintaining daily routines, monitoring symptoms and managing side effects, discussing with professionals, using medicines, and improving awareness. CONCLUSION: This study identified diverse strategies reported by some Chinese cardiovascular patients. It may inform the design and development of personalized self‐management interventions for health practitioners and policymakers, helping cardiovascular patients in Chinese communities worldwide receive culture‐tailored services.