PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS AND HEALTH BEHAVIOR FOLLOWING ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Abstract

Psychological reactions, risk health behavior and cardiac parameters can influence rehospitalization after acute myocardial infarction. The aim of the paper was to determine the presence of psychological reactions and risk health behavior in patients with acute myocardial infarction on admission as well as the differences after six months. The research included thirty-trhee patients of both sexes, who were consecutively hospitalized due to acute myocardial infarction. A prospective clinical investigation involved the following: semi-structured interview, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) for pcychiatric disorders, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) for measuring the severity of anxiety, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for measuring the severity of depression, KON-6 sigma test for aggression, Holms-Rahe Scale (H-R) for exposure to stressful events, and Health Behavior Questionnaire: alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, lack of physical activity. Measurement of the same parameters was done on admission and after six months. The differences were assessed using the t-test and chisquare test for p<0.05. On admission, anxiety (BAI=8.15±4.37) and depression (BDI=8.67±3.94) were mild without significant difference after six months in the group of examinees. Aggression was elevated and significantly lowered after six monts (KON-6 sigma =53,26±9, 58:41,42±7.67, t=2,13) for p<0.05. Exposure to stressful events in this period decreased (H-R=113.19±67.37:91,65±63,81, t=3,14) for p<0.05; distribution of physical activity was significantly higher compared to admission values (54.83%: 84.84%. χ2=5.07) for p<0.01. In the group of examinees with acute myocardial infarction in the period of six months, anxiety and depression remained mildly icreased, while the levels of aggression and exposure to stressful events were lowered. Risk health behavior was maintained, except for the improvement in physical activity. In the integrative therapy and rehabilitation of patients after myocardial infarction there should be considerable psychoeducation of patients with the aim to reduce their risk health behavior. Acta Medica Medianae 2011;50(2):18-23.