Psychocardiology-based nursing intervention enhances self-efficacy in elderly patients with angina pectoris

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of psychocardiology-based nursing intervention on cardiac function and self-efficacy in elderly patients with angina pectoris. METHODS: A total of 127 elderly patients with angina pectoris admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from December 2022 to December 2023 were divided into two groups: the control group (n=63) received routine nursing care, while the observation group (n=64) received psychocardiology-based nursing intervention in addition to routine care. The psychological status, self-efficacy, cardiac function, and severity of angina were compared between the two groups before and after intervention. RESULTS: After intervention, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores significantly decreased in both groups compared to pre-intervention levels (both P<0.05), with the observation group showing a more pronounced reduction (both P<0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased significantly in both groups post-intervention (P<0.05), while left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) showed no significant changes (both P>0.05). Self-efficacy scores significantly improved in both groups post-intervention (P<0.05), with a greater increase observed in the observation group (P<0.05). Additionally, all dimensions of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) showed significant improvement in both groups post-intervention (P<0.05), with higher scores in the observation group compared to the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Psychocardiology-based nursing intervention effectively improves psychological well-being, self-efficacy, quality of life, and cardiac function in elderly patients with angina pectoris.