A comparison of the recovery period for women and men after an acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objectives: To compare return to work, participation in cardiac rehabilitation, and sexual activity in women and men recovering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Design: A descriptive survey design was used. Descriptive statistics and chi square analysis were used to compare differences between women and men after an AMI.

Setting: The survey was mailed to the subject's home.

Subjects: A purposive sample of 20 women and 42 men.

Results: Comparing women with men, there were significant differences in the following activities with women evidencing higher percentages in responsibility for household duties before AMI, and cooking, washing dishes, reading, bed making, laundry, dusting and sweeping within 4 weeks after AMI. For those subjects who were sexually active before AMI, all resumed sexual activities after an average of 8 weeks. Women reported a decrease in frequency, less satisfactory relationship, and more reports of chest pain during sexual activity. Subjects reported that nurses gave little or no counseling concerning resumption of household activities, return to work issues, and sexual activity. Women received less counseling than men after AMI.

Conclusions: The findings are not generalizable to the population at large; however, the study indicates a need to investigate further the recovery period for women who experience AMI.