Predictors of fear and anxiety nine years after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

This paper is a report of a study to identify (i) associations between fear and anxiety with variables of demography, symptoms, treatment and perceived health, (ii) associations between fear, anxiety, depression and social support and (iii) predictors of fear and anxiety nine years after coronary artery bypass grafting. Earlier research shows that anxiety and fear are common, but there is a lack of knowledge about the long-term (>five years) situation of people after coronary artery bypass grafting. A convenience sample (n = 170) was formed of patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 723) in one university hospital in 2007, nine years after surgery, by postal questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to 152 surviving patients, and 114 responded (75%). Fear had a connection to female sex, age under 65 years, more chest pain, hospitalization and poor perceived health. Anxiety had a connection to age under 65 years, living alone, more chest pain and poor perceived health. Social support had a low negative correlation with anxiety. Age under 65 years and chest pain explained 28% of the variance in fear. Age under 65 years and depressive symptoms explained 51-57% of the variance in anxiety. Anxiety in people with coronary heart disease can be alleviated by developing social support from peers and professionals. Those aged under 65 years should be recognized as at greater risk of a predictor of long-term fear and anxiety after coronary artery bypass grafting.