From the Heart: A Qualitative Analysis of Tensions from Traumatic Cardiac Event Survivor Narratives

Abstract

This study explores narratives of sixteen individuals who have experienced a traumatic cardiac event, defined in this study as an event that has caused damage to the heart and required medical attention. Using narrative theory, this study found that individuals demonstrate tension between information that was given and received regarding their cardiac event, leading participants to work through both chaos and quest narratives but never reaching restitution. The findings suggest that the conceptualization of quest narratives be broadened to incorporate health narratives that will not reach a restitution and begin exploring how individuals can communicate different narrative types simultaneously.

Keywords:

• Cardiac Events
• Health Communication
• Heart Health
• Interviews
• Narrative Theory

Acknowledgments

The author extends her appreciation to her amazing participants who were graciously vulnerable, honest, and enthusiastic to share their story for the purpose of research and to Dr. Heather Carmack, who guided and encouraged the author from start to finish. This research could not have been conducted without the community that has been provided to the author.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Braidyn S. Lazenby

Braidyn S. Lazenby (MA, The University of Alabama) is a PhD student at The University of Texas at Austin. Her research examines interpersonal health communication and the way we communicate, navigate, and manage uncertainty in illness and health behaviors.