Perceptions of how sleep is influenced by rest, activity and health in patients with coronary heart disease: a phenomenographical study.

Objective: A framework is needed for identifying internal and external factors essential for the nursing management of psychological supportive health care and education for patients' self-care in sleep. In order to generate more knowledge from the patient's perspective, the aim of this study was to describe how patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) perceive that their sleep is influenced by rest, activity and health in outpatient care.

Design: Qualitative interviews were performed with 33 outpatients.