Predictors of Quality of Life in Women 1 Year After Myocardial Infarction

In an analysis of 30 African American and Caucasian women, the authors describe changes in the various quality-of-life domains (health, family, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and spiritual) and predictors of quality of life for a group of women more than 1 year post-acute myocardial infarction (MI). Data reported represent three recovery points post-MI (before hospital discharge, 6-weeks post-MI, and 12-months post-MI). Matched pair t tests indicated significant changes in all five domains of quality of life/cardiac, and through a multiple regression analysis 45% of the variance in quality of life could be explained by mood states and social support. The finding that social support and mood states were the only predictors of quality of life for this cohort of women at 1-year post-MI suggests that health care professionals should mobilize and reinforce social support networks and make mental health referrals for the most vulnerable women. Further study should be conducted on the unique needs of African American women, since insufficient numbers were available at 1 year to determine their unique patterns of recovery.