Psychosocial responses to myocardial infarction

Abstract

This paper has presented some psychosocial factors believed to contribute to the incidence of coronary artery disease. In addition to the recognized risks, Type A behavior was identified as particularly predisposing to the incidence of CAD. A pattern of psychosocial responses to MI, as a symptomatic manifestation of CAD, was discussed in relation to a specific patient and to the nursing interventions employed. These responses are not peculiar to individuals who suffer an MI, but are common human responses to threat by illness or injury, and as such present a challenge to nurses for appropriate therapeutic intervention.