Life quality of patients following myocardial infarction treated with coronary artery angioplasty

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction is a cardiac episode which, though it is a result of many factors spread in time and space, occurs unexpectedly. One of the most efficient form of treatment of myocardial infarction (generally Acute Coronary Syndromes, ACS) is an invasive procedure in the form of Percutaneus Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA). A long term effect of the treatment is, or should be, the improvement of patients’ life quality. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the life quality of patients following myocardial infarction who were treated with coronary artery angioplasty. Material and methods: The study included 50 people, patients of Regional Cardiology Centre at Miedziowe Centrum Zdrowia S.A in Lubin. The study group encompassed 18 women and 32 men, at the age of 32 to 69 (average age: 42.2 years). The study consisted in conducting a survey which included 25 questions. Results: A significant physical health improvement was found. The average assessment result prior to myocardial infarction was 2.88 whereas the result following myocardial infarction and PTCA amounted to 4.56. The improvement of psychological health condition has been also confirmed. The average result prior to myocardial infarction was 2.22 whereas the result following myocardial infarction and PTCA amounted to 4.08. It has been also observed that the assessment results of psychological sphere were lower than the assessment results of physical sphere. The number of subjective clinical symptoms related to heart conditions decreased substantially. It has been observed that the number of people able to perform, mostly relaxing, works in a backyard or in a garden plot increased (from 17 to 29) as did the number of people able to make considerable physical effort (from 9 to 19). The number of people spending their free time in an active way grew as well – prior to MI and PTCA only 13 people would spend their time in such a way whereas six months following MI and PTCA the number amounted to 26. The improvement of social relations with families (the average result increased from 4.54 to 4.88), with neighbours (the average result increased from 3.76 to 4.02), and with friends and acquaintances (the average result increased from 4.12 do 4.32) has been also observed. Results: 1. It has been stated that according to the patients their quality of life 6 months following MI and PTCA improved. 2. The improvement of life quality of patients following MI have been visible in a few areas: self-assessment of physical and psychological health, ability to continue or to undertake professional activity, elimination of ailments, ability to perform physical activity, ability to develop social relations, ability to implement plans deriving from aspirations, redefining lives. 3. The level of life quality of patients following MI treated with PTCA determines, to a large extent, a life style. The elements of life stimulating the level of life quality are as follows: physical activity proportionate to body’s abilities, rational nutrition, health condition monitoring, as well as avoiding smoking.