Table 3.

Summary of the subcategories, categories and main areas regarding actions taken by the relatives of patients with atrial fibrillation (N=19) in order to handle situations affecting their well-being.

Citation	Subcategory	Category	Main Area
“If I think that there is something going on, then I peep a little extra” (N03).	To manage a substantial risk of impairment in patient’s symptoms (n = 10)	Adjusting to the patient’s condition	Practical involvement
“... and we do not plan so much then. For this fibrillation has come back a little bit.. so it’s clear that it affects and like I said concerning planning.. eh” (N15).	To manage the unpredictability of patient’s symptoms (n = 9)
“You become lazier. Turns on the TV instead” (N14).	To manage impaired physical strength of the patient (n = 8)
“I ask him to call in to the hospital before it gets too late in the evening” (N08).	To manage demands on availability (n= 8)
“I’ll take her to the hospital when I hear that it is off sync” (N14).	To manage patient’s need of contact with healthcare facilitates (n=15)	Providing support to the patient
“I am listening to and counting her heartbeat “ (N14).	To manage the patient’s symptom together (n = 18)
“I get to take time off from my job when she doesn’t dare to be by herself at home” (N04).	To stay by the patient’s side (n=11)
“We must accept that we cannot travel” (N15).	To ensure patient’s close proximity to the healthcare facilitates (n=11)
“I asked the doctor if it is dangerous for her to exert herself” (N02).	To obtain knowledge of the patient’s symptom (n = 10)
“I am generally worried and afraid that he will die”(N19).	To act with feeling regarding the patient's symptom (n = 21)	Adjusting to own feelings	Emotional involvement
“I say that we are going to the hospital, and he argues against it” (N09).	To manage his/her own anxiety by asking the patient to contact the healthcare facilitates (n = 13)
“I get angry at myself and think that I have to pull myself together” (N17).	To manage his/her own anxiety about impairment in the patient’s symptom (n = 13)
“I said, ‘Is that necessary to climb upon the roof?” (N16).	To manage his/her own anxiety about physical exertion of the patient (n = 12)
“It is lately that I've been thinking more, when it has come more often” (N08).	To manage uncertainty about the future (n = 11)
“I get irritated, but I do not show it” (N14).	To manage the patient's behaviour when the patient is upset (n = 17)	Responding to the patient’s mood
“I ask when he gets home if he has managed to dance and if he felt anything” (N08).	To manage uncertainty about appropriate activity with the patient (n = 15)
“I did it instead when seeing his worry before exertion “(N17).	To manage with patient’s anxiety about physical exertion (n = 8)

Number in parentheses in subcategories indicates the number of critical situations.