2024-01-18 07:23:08
A study analyzed various psychosocial factors in patients who had a myocardial infarction.
It turns out that women who have a heart attack have high levels of stress and depressive symptoms, as revealed by research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. This study highlights the differences and similarities regarding psychosocial factors in women with myocardial infarction in the presence of coronary artery disease and those without coronary obstruction.
“Psychosocial stressors, anxiety, perceived stress and depression increase the risk of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction,” the researchers explain. “Women having a heart attack are, compared to men, more likely (up to three times more) to have high levels of stress and depression, independent of their age. » Despite the various studies carried out, we still know little regarding the level of correlation between psychosocial stress and depression at the time of the occurrence of the infarction, and it is not clear how these two elements evolve in the months that follow. follow the infarction itself.
Analysis results
The researchers analyzed data from the HARP study, which included 314 women with myocardial infarction and MI-CAD, for myocardial infarction and obstructive coronary artery disease in English or IDM-SCA for infarction. myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome) and 172 with myocardial infarction without obstruction of the coronary arteries (MINOCA, for myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease in English). The latter were younger than those with MI-CAD/MI-SCA, with respective mean ages of approximately 59 and 62 years. In addition, they had a lower probability of suffering from hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. In contrast, no differences were observed in the rates of history of heart failure and infarction.
Both at the time of their heart attack and at an interval of two months, the participants completed various psychosocial questionnaires, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). (patient health questionnaire).
Patients with MINOCA were less likely to have high levels of stress at the time of their heart attack compared to those with MI-CAD/MI-SCA (PSS-4 ≥ 6 in 51% and 63%, respectively). of them) and following two months (32.5% versus 46.3%). They had lower perceived stress scores and, despite apparently similar levels of chronic stress between the two groups, they reported less history of stressful events in their lives.
Regarding depressive symptoms, PHQ-2 scores were slightly more favorable in women with MINOCA. However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups at the time of infarction and following two months. Additionally, more than half of women (57%) with significant depressive symptoms at the time of their heart attack still had these symptoms at follow-up.
What should we expect?
The researchers note that “stress and depressive symptoms decreased overall in patients with MI-CAD/MI-SCA and MINOCA, but some subgroups of patients experienced worsening stress (22%) and depression (31%) following acute recovery from heart attack. » They say it will be necessary to determine whether these women are at higher risk of adverse outcomes.
However, further studies will be needed, particularly to assess whether interventions aimed at reducing perceived stress can improve outcomes in women who survive myocardial infarction with or without coronary artery obstruction.
This article was originally published on Univadis.it.
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