Table 1 Process of discourse interpretation: codes, categories, and main themes

­ Responsible for taking care of themselves

­ Doing exercise

­ Smoking

­ Diet

­ Having a normal life

­ Meeting with friends

­ Meals away from home

a. Lifestyle

1. Aspects related to the individual

­ Beliefs about medication

­ Beliefs about the disease

b. Personal beliefs

­ Absence of fear

­ Presence of fear

c. Fear

2. Aspects related to heart disease

Presence of symptoms:

­ Fatigue

­ Bruising

­ Head pressure

­ Swelling

­ Chills

­ Cold sweats

­ Nausea

­ Weakness

Absence of symptoms

d. Disease symptomology

­ Importance of taking medication

­ Distrust of medication

e. Beliefs about medication

3. Aspects related to drug treatment

­ Taking pills every day

­ Lack of adherence to drug treatment

­ Forgetting to take pills sometimes

­ Polypharmacy

­ Medication side effects

­ Reminder systems for taking medication

f. Taking medication

­ Lack of information

­ Lack of coordination

­ Trust

­ Accessibility

­ Communication with health professionals

g. Patient-health system and health professional relationship

4. Aspects related to the perception of the health care system