Influence of Anxiety on the Course of Heart Disease after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Vol. 75, No. 1, 2006

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 133 KB)

Regular Article

Influence of Anxiety on the Course of Heart Disease after Acute Myocardial Infarction - Risk Factor or Protective Function?
D. Benninghoven^a, A. Kaduk^b, U. Wiegand^b, T. Specht^c, S. Kunzendorf^a, G. Jantschek^a

^aSection for Psychosomatic Medicine, Medical Clinic II, University of Schleswig-Holstein,
^bMedical Clinic II, University of Schleswig-Holstein, and
^cSection for Psychosomatic Medicine, Segeberger Kliniken, Lübeck, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Psychother Psychosom 2006;75:56-61 (DOI: 10.1159/000089227)

Key Words

Anxiety
Cardiology
Myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of clarity concerning the effect of anxiety on the course of cardiac events following myocardial infarction. Some studies have identified anxiety as a risk factor for further cardiac events. However, it is also considered to be a protective factor, as a higher level of anxiety may improve patient compliance and regular medical checkups. Methods: A group of 76 patients with myocardial infarction underwent physical examination and had their anxiety levels assessed within the first week, and 31 months after myocardial infarction. Cardiac events were documented during the follow-up period. We investigated the predictive value for the occurrence of cardiac events of sociodemographic, psychological and physical parameters when evaluated within the first week after myocardial infarction. Compliancy and regularity of medical checkups were registered. Results: Cardiac events occurred in 24 patients during a mean follow-up period of 31 months. The group of anxious patients not only suffered more often from cardiac events, these events also occurred earlier than in nonanxious patients. Age, gender, partner status, level of anxiety and comorbid diabetes at the time of first assessment proved to be discriminatory variables between patients suffering further cardiac incidents and those free of further events. Anxious patients were more likely to continue smoking, whereas less anxious patients were more likely to give up smoking.

Author Contacts

Dieter Benninghoven, PhD
University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck
Medical Clinic II, Section for Psychosomatic Medicine
Ratzeburger Allee 160, DE-23538 Lübeck (Germany)
Tel. +49 451 5002380, Fax +49 451 5002990, E-Mail benningh@medinf.mu-luebeck.de

Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 29

Medline Abstract (ID 16361875)

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