Social and occupational repercussions of acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to study the family, social and occupational repercussions of acute myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study concerns 70 patients less than 66 years old, working before their hospitalization and having been admitted for acute myocardial infarction between January 1st, 1999 and December 31, 2000 in the Department of Cardiac Resuscitation of hospital La Rabta of Tunis. Data were collected from retrospective review of folders and answers to a questionnaire. RESULTS: There were 70 patients almost exclusively men (n=69). The mean age was 49.0 +/- 6.8 years. The mean follow-up was 27.2 +/- 7.7 months. After the infarction, the majority of patients modified their activities (75.7%) notably their leisure activities (37.1%) and their travels (25.7%). Myocardial infarction had a bring about a bother in current life to 50.0% of the patients, had an influence on emotional life of 41.4% and on sexual activities of 50.0% of the population. The direct repercussions of myocardial infarction on the professional capacities was observed in the majority of the patients. The average delay of return to work has been 91 +/- 111 days. CONCLUSION: Fight against the isolation of the patient and its exclusion by an adequate and early psychological coverage is the best way to assure the return in a normal family and professional life.