Smokers with cardiac disease: A qualitative study

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to describe the experiences of individuals who continue to smoke following a myocardial infarction. This manuscript-based thesis consists of three distinct papers to be submitted to nursing journals for publication. The first manuscript provides a critique of the research literature pertaining to predictors and perceptions of continued smoking for individuals with coronary artery disease. The second manuscript reports the findings of a qualitative study that was conducted to describe the meaning of smoking within the context of a myocardial infarction, and to determine factors that influence continued smoking. The third manuscript explores ethical implications that emerged from the first two manuscripts. This thesis illustrates how addictive behaviours often have underlying meanings, how continued smoking becomes more understandable when viewed in the context of people's lives, and how possibilities for change can be derived from the ways that clients view their heart disease and smoking.