Psychological differences between young male and female survivors of myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate psychological differences between young male and female survivors of acute myocardial infarction (MI).


METHODS
35 male (mean age 37.3) and 29 female (mean age 38.6) patients with first MI made the study group. Type A behavior, anxiety, alexithymia construct and vital exhaustion were assessed by self-reported questionnaires.


RESULTS
The results indicate that females suffer considerably more frequently from fatigue and exhaustion in the prodromal period of MI. Women develop a higher level of cognitive-worry, subscale score of anxiety; they are more irritable and less able to relax.


CONCLUSIONS
These gender-related differences in psychological status should be taken into consideration for the optimal psychosocial rehabilitation of young patients with first acute MI.
Uusküla
M
M
Department of Cardiology, University of Tartu, Estonia.
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*