title: "Maybe it could be a heart attack . . . but i'm only 31": Young men's lived experience of myocardial infarction--an exploratory study.
abstract: This study examines the lived experience of myocardial infarction (MI) in younger men. Seven men, aged between 32 and 58, all of whom had suffered MI within the previous 12 months, were interviewed. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four main themes. The themes were "disillusionment with life," "tension and stress," "keeping up appearances," and "invincibility." Collectively the four themes reflected the complexities, subtleties, and consensus of the experiences of these younger men who have survived MI. This study reveals that the individuals within the authors' sample appear to allude to the ideal or hegemonic form of masculine identity. Utilization of a qualitative approach with this younger male sample has enabled the authors to elicit the defining features of their experience as identified by themselves. Implications for these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK. m.allison@tees.ac.uk
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D054526:Men's Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors