Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 Jan 23;14(3):729.
doi: 10.3390/jcm14030729.

Acceptance of Illness and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients After Myocardial Infarction-Narrative Review

Justyna Tokarewicz  1   2 , Barbara Jankowiak  2 , Krystyna Klimaszewska  2 , Michał Święczkowski  1 , Krzysztof Matlak  3 , Sławomir Dobrzycki  1
Affiliations
Review

Acceptance of Illness and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients After Myocardial Infarction-Narrative Review

Justyna Tokarewicz et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases, particularly myocardial infarction (MI), significantly impact patients' lives, causing stress and prompting varied responses to illness. Aim and methods: We conducted a narrative review concerning the acceptance of illness and quality of life in post-MI patients. Based on an extensive search of the available literature, this review consolidates current evidence on the proposed topic. Conclusions and implications: While some patients struggle with acceptance and face emotional distress, others who accept their condition are more likely to engage in treatment and lifestyle changes, leading to an improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Following an MI, patients often experience depression, anxiety, and stress, complicating their acceptance of the illness. Risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, play a significant role in influencing HRQoL in post-MI patients. An accurate assessment of HRQoL is crucial for tailoring effective treatments and support strategies to enhance patient outcomes and identify those most at risk of developing post-MI depression or anxiety. Effective physician-patient and nurse-patient communication and support from family might be helpful in recovery. Cardiac rehabilitation improves patients' outcomes and HRQoL. This review underscores the importance of integrating psychological support with optimal medical care to improve patient prognosis and enhance the HRQoL of individuals recovering from MI. The healthcare system could implement routine psychological assessments for MI patients at admission and discharge to establish a baseline for follow-up. Future research should explore effective psychological interventions, the interplay of CVD risk factors and psychosocial aspects, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in personalized care, and the cost-effectiveness of integrated treatment models.

Keywords: acceptance of illness; health-related quality of life; myocardial infarction; rehabilitation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Literature search strategy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Li Y., Cao G.Y., Jing W.Z., Liu J., Liu M. Global Trends and Regional Differences in Incidence and Mortality of Cardiovascular Disease, 1990−2019: Findings from 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. Eur. J. Prev. Cardiol. 2023;30:276–286. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwac285. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Mensah G.A., Fuster V., Murray C.J.L., Roth G.A., Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risks Collaborators Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risks, 1990–2022. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2023;82:2350–2473. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.11.007. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Salari N., Morddarvanjoghi F., Abdolmaleki A., Rasoulpoor S., Khaleghi A.A., Hezarkhani L.A., Shohaimi S., Mohammadi M. The Global Prevalence of Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. BMC Cardiovasc. Disord. 2023;23:206. doi: 10.1186/s12872-023-03231-w. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Jortveit J., Pripp A.H., Langrgen J., Halvorsen S. Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcome of Young Patients with Myocardial Infarction. Heart. 2020;106:1420–1426. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2019-316067. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Mohebi R., Chen C., Ibrahim N.E., McCarthy C.P., Gaggin H.K., Singer D.E., Hyle E.P., Wasfy J.H., Januzzi J.L. Cardiovascular Disease Projections in the United States Based on the 2020 Census Estimates. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2022;80:565–578. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.05.033. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources