Living with Atrial Fibrillation: A Family Perspective

Table 2

Analysis process from derived meaning units to final themes.

Meaning units	Subthemes	Themes
Talking about atrial fibrillation (AF)	Family members have different worries in their everyday life with AF	Emotional differences
We are still two people
Finding causes
Why our family
The first feeling
Do not be a burden on the family
Do not be a burden to the hospital
Using the network	To see life in a new way and find meaning
Encourage each other
Changed mood
Show or hide emotions
AF intervenes in family activities	Everyday life activities change	Change in family life
Care and protection of children living at home
Maintain normal daily life
Changed social relationships	Living with AF affects social life
Talk about prioritising
Different limits on how much you can handle
Get support and motivation for new habits	AF changes the need for knowledge
Changed lifestyle
Family knowledge of AF
Information from AF patients to children Knowledge sharing
Family thoughts on AF	Fear of how AF will progress influences everyday life	Uncertainty about the future
Getting the right support living with AF
Support and involvement of family members
Relatives on alert
Rituals and strategies
Fear and myths	AF brings fear of death into everyday life
Thoughts about the future
Master the unpredictable
Thoughts on death