The experiences of postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease

The lifetime probability that a woman will develop coronary artery disease (CAD) is 46%. Hormonal changes, resulting in a shift in the ratio of the protective high density lipoproteins to low density lipoproteins dramatically increase the incidence of CAD in women after menopause. Historically women have not been considered at risk for the development of CAD and clinical research has focused on men. The purpose of this descriptive study was to gain insight into the experiences of postmenopausal women after being diagnosed with CAD. Twelve postmenopausal participants were interviewed about their experiences since being diagnosed with CAD. The four major categories of data that emerged from this study were the effects of having a diagnosis of CAD, managing lifestyle changes resulting from this illness, identifying support systems, and adapting or coping with a diagnosis of CAD.