Key result
Momentary negative affect linked to ~60% higher post-MI MACE risk per SD.
Why the study?
Information is lacking about everyday psychological states of individuals after a recent myocardial infarction and their influence on subsequent cardiovascular outcomes.
Does higher momentary negative affect increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in midlife survivors of a recent myocardial infarction?
Cohort (n=287)
Does higher momentary negative affect increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in midlife survivors of a recent myocardial infarction?
Hazard Ratio: 1.6 (95% CI 1.2–2)
In midlife survivors of a recent myocardial infarction, greater moment-to-moment negative affect in daily life is independently associated with an increased risk of subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events.
Psychological states post-MI were associated with later events; hypothesis-generating for interventions in young survivors.
Background Information is lacking about everyday psychological states of individuals with a recent myocardial infarction (MI) and whether they influence outcomes. We investigated real world psychological experiences and their association with subsequent cardiovascular events in survivors of an MI. Methods We studied 287 individuals ≤ 60 years of age within 8 months from an MI. At the baseline visit, we assessed sociodemographic and clinical factors, and administered a battery of psychological scales of depression, anxiety, anger, perceived stress and social support. Participants underwent a 7-day home monitoring of mood and stress using ecological momentary assessments, and a momentary negative affect (MNA) score, integrating daily mean ratings of sadness, anxiety, anger, distress and loneliness, was calculated. Participants were followed for a median time of 28 months. The study endpoint was a composite index of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, stroke or hospitalizations for heart failure. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical factors. Results The mean age of the sample was 51 years, and 43% of participants were women. Each standard deviation increase in MNA was significantly associated with a 60% increased risk of MACE (95% confidence interval (CI), 20% to 100%), irrespective of adjustment for sociodemographic factors and clinical characteristics. The association was similar in women and men. Momentary positive mood and momentary perceived stress were not associated with MACE. The MNA score showed a larger independent contribution to MACE compared to the combined battery of baseline psychological assessments and the association was independent of baseline history of depression. Conclusion Among individuals after MI, moment-to-moment negative affect during one week of monitoring in daily life is a powerful predictor of subsequent cardiovascular events. A prospective evaluation of negative mood during everyday living could represent a novel strategy to uncover residual risk after MI.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Vaccarino et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Myocardial infarction (MI) (n=287). Momentary negative affect (MNA) vs. Per standard deviation increase was evaluated on Composite index of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, stroke or hospitalizations for heart failure (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.20-2.00). Each standard deviation increase in momentary negative affect was associated with a 60% increased risk of MACE among survivors of a recent MI (95% CI, 20% to 100% increased risk).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: