Determinants of the quality of life of care partners in the context of surgical cardiovascular interventions: A qualitative study

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally, and numerous patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery rely heavily on informal care partners, often spouses or close family members for support. While much of the existing literature focuses on caregiver burden, particularly in dementia-related conditions, less is known about the specific factors influencing the quality of life (QoL) of care partners in the context of surgical cardiovascular interventions. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted at a tertiary cardiac center to identify the key factors that influence the QoL of care partners of patients who have undergone or are undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Twenty care partners of cardiac or vascular patients participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews explored emotional, physical, financial, and social dimensions of the care partner’s experience. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurrent factors influencing care partner QoL. Results: Participants were predominantly female (80%) and most often spouses of the patients (55%). Thematic analysis revealed several interrelated domains affecting care partner QoL: financial stress (e.g., lost income, travel costs), emotional impact, communication with healthcare teams, care partner physical health limitations, and availability of social support. Patient-related factors such as the type and urgency of surgery, post-operative condition, and patient attitude also significantly influenced care partner experiences. These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of care partner QoL and its direct connection to patient outcomes. Conclusions: This study identifies core factors that impact the well-being of care partners of cardiovascular patients and emphasizes the importance of their role in supporting recovery. The results provide a framework for identifying at risk care partners for poor patient outcomes, and consideration of early intervention and tailored support. Integrating care partner needs into healthcare planning may improve both patient and care partner outcomes in cardiovascular surgical care settings.