The effect of marital stress on heart attack recovery is detrimental

The effect of marital stress on heart attack recovery is detrimental

In a current study that will soon be presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2022 * Researchers examined the adverse effects of marital stress (MS) on recovery from acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

The AHA has determined that heart disease such as AMI is the leading cause of death in the United States (US). Studies have reported that social and psychological stress can worsen recovery from heart disease. Additionally, studies have linked being in a relationship or marriage to improved health and prognosis for heart disease. However, it is unclear whether and how MS might influence recovery from AMI, particularly in young adults.

Learn: Effects of marital stress on 12-month health outcomes in young adults with acute myocardial infarction. Photo credit: Ground Picture / Shutterstock

About studying

In the present study, researchers examined the impact of MS on AMI recovery.

The team compared recovery one year after AMI among 1,593 adults with MS who reported being treated for AMI (at 103 hospitals in 30 U.S. states) and who were recruited for the VIRGO (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of young AMI Patients) study, conducted from 2008 to 2012. Study participants were between 18 and 55 years old and were either in a committed relationship or married when they experienced an AMI attack.

For MS measures, participants completed the 17-item Stockholm Scale MS questionnaire, which assesses marriage-related stressors, including the quality of their sexual and emotional relationships, one month after their AMI. Based on MS scores, participants were divided into no/mild MS, moderate MS, and severe MS groups, and 12-month follow-up assessments were performed.

A 12-item scale was used to assess the influence of physical health on performance of daily activities, physical pain, and ratings of perceived health. The mental health category of the questionnaire assessed participants' social interactions and psychological well-being. Mental/physical health measures and MS were self-reported by participants. In addition, data from hospitals were analyzed to identify eligible participants and readmissions.

The main outcomes of the study were mental/physical health status, disease-specific/general QoL (quality of life), depression symptoms, angina, and all-cause hospitalizations one year after AMI. Logistic and linear regression models were used for the analysis, adjusting the data for health status, demographic variables and various socioeconomic factors (such as education level, income level, health insurance coverage and employment status).

Results

The average age of participants was 47 years, and 75% (n=1199), 13% (n=205), and seven percent (n=109) were white, black, and Hispanic, respectively, with the majority (>67%) of study participants being female. Recovery from AMI was delayed in MS patients compared to those in less stressful marriages. Partners with severe MS had worse mental and physical health 12 months after AMI than couples without/with mild MS.

Women (39%) were more likely to report severe MS than men (30%). Similar results were observed after accounting for age, race, gender, and socioeconomic factors, with a smaller but statistically significant association. Comparison of survey results with hospital data showed that study participants with self-reported severe MS scores had >2 points and >3 points worse physical and mental health, respectively.

Severe MS was also associated with 5.0 and 8.0 points lower general and cardiac-specific QoL scores and higher depression and angina scores 12 months after AMI. In addition, patients with severe MS were 50% and 67% more likely to be readmitted to the hospital and complain of chest pain than those without and mild MS, respectively.

Conclusions

Overall, preliminary research results to be presented at the 2022 AHA Scientific Sessions showed that MS negatively impacts AMI recovery in young adults; However, other stressors can also occur, such as: B. work-related stress or economic strain can impair AMI recovery. The results of the study highlight the need for an assessment of the mental health of cardiovascular patients.

Future studies need to be conducted at an international level with objective data and long-term assessments of the associations between all stressors and AMI recovery. Health care professionals need to assess stress levels in hospitalized and non-hospitalized individuals to assess the need for rehospitalization and the prognosis of individuals with heart disease. Integrating psychosocial components into the care of cardiac patients would improve the overall standard of care.

C. Zhu, M.Phil., and a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health in Connecticut, said, “Health care professionals need to be aware of personal factors that may contribute to cardiac recovery and focus on guiding patients to resources that will help manage and reduce their stress.”

*Important NOTE

Statements and conclusions of studies presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the Association. The Association makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association's scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed but are curated by independent review panels and considered on the basis of their potential to expand the diversity of scientific topics and views discussed at the meeting. Results are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Reference:

• Einfluss von Ehestress auf die 12-Monats-Gesundheitsergebnisse bei jungen Erwachsenen mit akutem Myokardinfarkt, https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/?&_ga=2.258736652.702722363.1664739665-1949139275.1663003561#!/10611/presentation/15663

.