Background :Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common chronic illness associated with
substantial morbidity and mortality poor quality of life and frequent hospitalization .Aim of the
study :was to determine self-care strategies used by patients for managing these problems, then
proposed self-care strategies based on patients 'ability .Design :A descriptive exploratory research
design was used .Subjects :A purposive sample of 100 patients with CHF admitted to cardiology
clinic at Benha university hospital .Data collection tool :Interview questionnaire sheet .Results :
Physiological problems related to respiratory system 100%, 100% %96& of patients experienced
cough, bluish lips & cardiac asthma respectively, related to cardiovascular 100% %100 & of
patients experienced hypertension & change in nail shape respectively, related to nervous system
98% %100& of patients experienced blurred vision & spend time till getting sleep respectively
related to gastrointestinal system 100% %100 & of patients experienced nausea, vomiting &
anorexia respectively, related to execratory system 92% of patients experienced urine
incontinence, psychological problems 100% %98 & of patients experienced anxiety &
depression respectively, social problems 98% of them had financial burden and more than half
66% of them had satisfactory level of self-care strategies .Conclusion :The problems experienced
by the patients with CHF are: physiological problems related to different body systems
respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, gastrointestinal and execratory system in addition to the
problems related to side effect of received treatment, psychological and social problems. Meanwhile, more than half of them had satisfactory levels of self-care strategies for managing
biopsychosocial problems experienced by such group of patients .Recommendation :There is a
need for continuous educational programs for patients with CHF and their families about disease,
and self-care strategies for managing their biopsychsocial problems.