Heart disease is a major chronic illness throughout the world. A study by McGillion and coworkers sought to determine the meaning of cardiac pain for chronic stable angina patients who participated in a standardized angina education program. The patients documented what angina meant to them at sessions one and six of a 6-week standardized program aimed at enhancing angina self-management. At session one, angina was described as a major negative life change characterized by fear, frustration, limitations, and anger. At session six, angina had involved into a broad and ongoing pain problem requiring continual self-management in order to maximize quality of life.

VALUE OF STUDY TO READER: The findings suggest that the meaning of angina shifted from being a burdensome and debilitating life change before education to one of angina as a broad pain problem requiring ongoing self-management. Self-management does shift the perceptions people with a chronic illness have towards their condition. If you can evolve from one who feels hopeless towards believing you can live a worthwhile life, it is a major achievement. You can expect similar work as this to be conducted with angina patients in the future.

M. McGillion et al. Positive shifts in the perceived meaning of cardiac pain following a psychoeducation program for chronic stable angina. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 2007 ;39:48-65.