Objective To explore the fear experiences and coping needs of patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) following percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),and to provide theoretical and practical guidance for the development of individualized psychological interventions and continuity of care strategies. Methods Using purposive sampling,22 patients with AMI who underwent PCI were recruited from a tertiary general hospital in Harbin,China,between Septemberand December 2024 as research participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted,and the data were analyzed using content analysis. Results A total of 5 major themes and 11 sub-themes were identified: cognitive misperceptions intensifying fear experience(emotional shock induced by illness misinterpretation,fear of uncontrollability resulting from ambiguous causal attributions);temporal evolution of fear across disease stages(intense fear at onset and persistent fear during postoperative recovery);fear-driven transformation of coping strategies(health belief reconstruction and lifestyle adjustment);lasting impact of fear on life and psychological state(limitations in daily activities and concerns about quality of life,emotional distress and psychological disturbance); multidimensional support needs in coping with fear(professional and individualized guidance from healthcare providers, accessibility of rehabilitation services and continuity of health insurance coverage, companionship from family members and support from peers). Conclusion Fear experiences among AMI patients after PCI exhibit multidimensional characteristics and are accompanied by significant psychological and practical needs. Clinical nurses should conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ illness perceptions andneeds for coping,early identify sources of fear,and provide targeted health education and psychological support based on individual differences. These efforts can facilitate emotional regulation,promote sustained health behavior transformation,and ultimately improve postoperative recovery and adaptation.