Table 1 Characteristics of the study participants (n = 15)

Age

Range

Mean

33–82

68

Relationship

Wife

n = 7

Husband

n = 3

Living apart

n = 1

Daughter

n = 2

Son

n = 2

Occupation

Working

n = 3

On sick-leave

n = 1

Retired

n = 11

Duration of heart failure

<  1 year

n = 2

>  1–5 year

n = 6

>  5 year

n = 7

Care contacts during the last year

1–2 times

n = 3

3–4 times

n = 1

5–6 times

n = 2

>  6 times

n = 9