Abstract
M.Cur. (Intensive General Nursing)
The incidence of coronary heart disease is still rising due to man's stressful way
of life. Angioplasty is a relatively new procedure used to dilate coronary arteries
which have been narrowed by sclerosis. This is seen as the 'instant solution' for a
select group of patients with coronary artery sclerosis. It fits in well in the fast
paced society.
Angioplasty is painful and causes anxiety as the patient is awake during the whole
procedure. The goal of the study is to determine the patient's experience during
angioplasty and to set guidelines for nurses for the preparation of other patients
for angioplasty.
The Phenomenological method of interviewing was used for data-collection.
Interviews were conducted with 9 participants who had had their first
experience of angioplasty. Data was subjected to Phenomenological
analysis and verified with suitable literature.
The conclusions that were reached were used to set guidelines and make
suggestions for the counselling of patients for angioplasty.