Key result
Myocardial infarction triggers intense death anxiety and major lifestyle adjustments in survivors.
Why the study?
The study sought to investigate in depth the experiences of individuals who had a myocardial infarction, focusing on death anxiety and life changes.
Death anxiety is a prominent psychological response after myocardial infarction that significantly affects patients' perceptions and behaviors, highlighting the need for psychosocial interventions.
Supports screening for death anxiety after MI; extends evidence for psychosocial interventions in survivors.
Aim: This study sought to investigate in depth the experiences of individuals who had a myocardial infarction (MI), focusing on death anxiety and life changes. Design: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed. Methods: Criterion-based purposive sampling was used. Data were collected between June and July 2023 through semi-structured interviews. Seven participants were interviewed, and six were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Four main categories emerged: (1) experiences of patients, (2) changes in daily life, (3) thoughts about death, and (4) recommendations. Participants reported intense fear of death, lifestyle changes, and increased awareness of mortality. Conclusions: Death anxiety is a prominent psychological response after MI that significantly affects patients’ perceptions and behaviors. Psychosocial interventions are recommended to help patients cope with these experiences.
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Buruntekin et al. (2026) studied Myocardial infarction (n=6). Myocardial infarction was evaluated on Lived experiences of death anxiety and life changes. Myocardial infarction survivors experience intense death anxiety, which significantly alters their daily lives, prompts lifestyle changes, and increases their awareness of mortality.
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