Life Experience of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: A Descriptive Review

Abstract: Background: The life expectancy of adults with congenital heart disease hassignificantly increased due to the enormous progress of medical technology.Consequently, adults with congenital heart disease constitute a relatively new andgrowing patient population. However, as they age, the development of their illness tovarying degrees has brought about various impacts on their lives.Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the life experience of adults with congenitalheart disease.Methods: It was a descriptive literature review and was undertaken in May 2022using PubMed and Cinahl databases with the search terms of " adults " " congenitalheart disease or congenital heart defect " " life experiences or feelings or coping " toretrieved English articles from 2012 to 2022. Through multiple screening procedures,12 articles were finally included and analyzed the data using the thematic synthesismethod developed by Thomas and Harden.Results: Three themes relating to life experience of adults with CHD were identified :(1) Personal perceptions of physical and mental activity; (2) Support from family; and,(3) Experience of social life.Conclusions: The uncertainty in illness permeated all aspect of their experiences,affecting their emotions and psychological well-being, daily activities, and futureoutlook. To progressively attain cohabitation with disorders, they attempted to createconstructive coping mechanisms. In order to improve the quality of life and evensurvival rate of adults with CHD, ACHD professional teams, multidisciplinary teams,governments, and social institutions must pay close attention to the problems and needsthat adults with CHD faced in their lives.Keywords: Adults, Congenital heart disease, Life experience, Literature review