The association between psychological distress and coping patterns in post-MI patients and their partners

Caregiver Distress and Coronary Artery Disease: Prevalence, Risk, Outcomes, and Management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Caregivers of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are integral to the health care system and contribute substantially to patients' management. The purpose of this review is to provide a narrative synthesis of existing research on caregiving for patients who experienced an acute coronary syndrome (MI/unstable angina) and/or coronary revascularization (PCI/CABG).

RECENT FINDINGS

Thirty-one articles are included in this review. Overall, caregiver distress is low to moderate, ranging from 6 to 67% of caregivers, and seems to dissipate over time for most caregivers. Interventions have demonstrated success in reducing the distress of caregivers of patients with CAD. Due to the heterogeneity in study samples, measurements used, and timing of assessments and programming, these results are far from definitive. Although evidence is accumulating, further advancement in caregiving science and clinical care is required to adequately understand and respond to the needs of caregivers throughout the patient's illness trajectory.

A Survey of Coping Strategies With Stress in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Individuals Without a History of Fixed Myocardial Infarction

Background

This study aimed at investigating the coping strategies with stress in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and individuals without a history of fixed MI and cardiovascular disorders.

Methods

This case-control crossover study was conducted from March 2015 to February 2016 on 220 patients with acute MI (MI patients) as case group and 220 patients without any history of MI and cardiovascular diseases as the control group using availability sampling method. To collect the required data, demographic information questionnaire, Holms-Raheh life stress inventory, perceived stress questionnaire, and coping inventory for stressful situations (CISS) were applied.

Results

On the basis of our findings, 118 patients (53.6%) with MI used emotion-focused coping strategy. Ninety-seven patients (82.2%) with MI who used emotion-focused coping strategy had negative perceived stress. Additionally, 71 patients (60.2%) with MI who had used emotion-focused coping strategy suffered from very high level of stress.

Conclusion

The most MI patients had very high level of stress while most people in control group had high level of stress. Most MI patients that had very high level of stress cope with it in emotion-focused coping strategy and it proves that people with higher levels of stress are more likely to use inefficient coping strategies.

Biopsychosocial predictors of coping strategies of patients postmyocardial infarction

Data from the Patients and Families Psychological Response to the Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial were used to examine the relationship between biopsychosocial variables and patients' coping strategies postmyocardial infarction. This study is the secondary data analysis of longitudinal observational study. A total of 460 patient-spouse pairs were recruited in January 2003 to October 2005. Hierarchical linear regression analysis examined biological/demographic, psychological and social variables regarding patients' coping scores using the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale. Lower social support and social support satisfaction predicted lower total coping scores. Being younger, male gender and time since the myocardial infarction predicted lower positive coping strategy use. Higher anxiety and lower social support were related to fewer positive coping methods. Lower educational levels were related to increased use of negative coping strategies. Reduced social support predicted lower total coping scores and positive coping strategy use and greater passive coping style use. Social support from a broad network assisted with better coping; those living alone may need additional support. Social support and coping strategies should be taken into consideration for patients who have experienced a cardiac event.

The fear of dying and occurrence of posttraumatic stress symptoms after an acute coronary syndrome: A prospective observational study

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether experiencing fear of dying after acute coronary syndrome predicts later posttraumatic stress symptoms. We enrolled 90 patients hospitalized with main diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome and assessed baseline characteristics. One month after discharge, we collected the Posttraumatic Stress Scale. A total of 24 patients (26.7%) developed posttraumatic stress symptoms 1 month after the acute coronary syndrome event. Patients with posttraumatic stress symptoms reported significantly greater fear of dying, helplessness, avoidance-focused coping, and severe anxiety. In our prospective study, fear of dying was associated with occurrence of posttraumatic stress symptoms in patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome.

Fatigue two months after myocardial infarction and its relationships with other concurrent symptoms, sleep quality and coping strategies

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore fatigue levels two months after myocardial infarction and examine the associations with other concurrent symptoms, sleep quality and coping strategies.

BACKGROUND

Fatigue has been found to be the most frequent and bothersome symptom after myocardial infarction, influencing health-related quality of life negatively.

DESIGN

The present study was explorative and cross-sectional. The focus was on fatigue two months postmyocardial infarction, complemented with a comparative analysis of fatigue dimension levels.

METHODS

The sample included 142 persons (mean age 63 years), treated for myocardial infarction, who responded to a questionnaire package measuring fatigue, depression, health complaints (symptoms), sleep quality and coping strategies.

RESULTS

The main results showed that a global fatigue score two months postmyocardial infarction was associated with concurrent symptoms, such as breathlessness and stress, and coping strategies such as change in values, intrusion and isolation. In comparisons of present fatigue dimension levels (general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity and mental fatigue) two months postmyocardial infarction with baseline measurements (first week in hospital), the results showed that levels of fatigue dimensions had decreased. In comparisons with levels of fatigue four months postmyocardial infarction in a reference group, we found lower levels of fatigue two months postmyocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

The present findings indicated that postmyocardial infarction fatigue is lowest two months postmyocardial infarction. This may thus be the right time to identify persons experiencing postmyocardial infarction fatigue, as timely fatigue relief support may prevent progression into a state of higher levels of fatigue.

RELEVANCE TO CLINIC PRACTICE

Measuring fatigue two months postmyocardial infarction would enable healthcare professionals to identify persons experiencing fatigue and to introduce fatigue relief support. Tailored rehabilitation support should include stress management and breathlessness relief support. If maladaptive use of the coping strategies isolation and intrusion is observed, these strategies could be discussed together with the patient.

Longitudinal Changes in Coping for Spouses of Post–Myocardial Infarction Patients

Spouses are the key in the recovery and coping of patients after a myocardial infarction (MI). The purpose of this study was to examine changes in coping for spouses of post-MI patients over time. The study determined the contributions of a spouse’s demographic factors and of time since the MI to the changes in coping. A secondary data analysis from the Patients’ and Families’ Psychological Response to Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial was conducted. On average, older spouses coped better than younger spouses. Coping significantly decreased over time. The spouse’s coping decreased for spouses whose baseline coping was higher. Coping decreased more rapidly for spouses of patients who experienced an MI more recently. Patients and spouses need support to improve coping after an MI.