Asian Nurs Res.  2015 Mar;9(1):47-52. 10.1016/j.anr.2014.11.004.

Health-related Quality of Life in Symptomatic Postmyocardial Infarction Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction

• Kim HM
• Kim J
• Hwang SY

• KMID: 2133387
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2014.11.004

Abstract

PURPOSE
Symptoms of postmyocardial infarction (post-MI) patients at risk for progression to heart failure are often ignored, and lack of symptom recognition or misinterpretation may diminish health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study was conducted to evaluate the differences in HRQoL by symptom experience and determine factors that predict diminished HRQoL in post-MI patients.
METHODS
Using a descriptive correlational study design, post-MI patients with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 50%) completed face-to-face interviews for symptoms, HRQoL, covariates including self-care compliance, New York Heart Association class, and demographic and clinical questionnaires.
RESULTS
A total of 105 post-MI patients participated (mean age 65 years, 79.0% male, mean ejection fraction 43.6%, New York Heart Association class III/IV 33.3%). Mean length of time after the cardiac event was 48 months. Patients reported four or more symptoms, with fatigue being the most common symptom (63.8%), followed by shortness of breath (56.2%), weakness (54.3%), and dizziness (51.4%). HRQoL was moderately poor, with a mean score of 44.38 +/- 27.66. There was no significant relationship between self-care compliance and HRQoL. Patients who were female, with low monthly income, and had lower functional capacity and more symptoms had worse HRQoL, after controlling for age and length of time after the event (adjusted R2 = 0.53, p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
A need for transitional care that assists post-MI patients take an active involvement in symptom monitoring arises so that they can get into the system earlier and benefit from treatment, and eventually achieve desirable HRQoL.

Keyword

heart failure; myocardial infarction; quality of life; self-care; signs and symptoms

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
*Health Status
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Myocardial Infarction/complications/*physiopathology
*Quality of Life
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/complications/*physiopathology