Stress related components in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective: The present work aims to describe the psychological characteristics emerging in a group of infarcted subjects using tests to detect some aspects of the personality and typical behaviours of patients who have been diagnosed with serious cardiovascular disease. In the scientific literature, a number of biological predispositions have been already identified and well described such genetic predisposition, sex, age, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension etc. Furthermore, multiple psychological factors: personality traits, the ability or to feel emotions, like an-ger and hostility, particular behavioural patterns and lifestyles, seems to plays an important role in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, as evidence of the close body-mind relationship and the importance of the patient’s over-all management, there is the fact that pathological alterations of the mood can be risk factors about the course of most of organic disease and even represent real predictors of mortality. Materials and methods: 25 subjects (23 male and 2 female) aged between 40 and 60 with a diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction were examined. The following tests were administered before angioplasty: Symptom Questionnaire, Illness Behaviour Questionnaire and P Stress Questionnaire. After two weeks, during the cardiological rehabilitation, the Cognitive Behavioural Assessment battery and a second Symptom Questionnaire were administered. Results: The results in the P Stress Questionnaire highlight dysfunctional behaviours; in particular, patients show high scores in the Hyperactivity and Vigor subscales while the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire highlights the tendency to deny emotions. In addition, comparing the results between the first and second administration of the Symptom Questionnaire reveals a decrease in hostility. Conclusions: This study confirms what has already been described in the literature about the presence of stable personality traits and the tendency to adopt risky behaviours for stress-related physical disorders in a group of infarcted patients and highlights the need for a multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach in order to promote psychological well-being, encourage the improvement of physical conditions and prevent any relapses.