Emotional Triggers of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death around the world. Identification of triggers that lead to acute coronary events in ischemic heart diseases and their prevention can reduce the complications of myocardial infarction. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine emotional triggers in patients with acute Myocardial Infarction (MI). Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 269 patients with acute MI hospitalized in two medical centers in Rasht, Iran in 2015. The relevant data were collected by a researcher-designed questionnaire completed by interview. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, Cochran test and Generalized estimating equations of logistic regression. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The Mean±SD time of patients’ exposure to studied emotional triggers were reported as 4.99±5.50 h for anger; 13.1±2.4) h for insomnia; 4.71±4.85) h for quarrels; 5.78±5.01) h for unexpected news; 1.9±2.9) h for partner bereavement; and 5.17±4.80) h for watching sport games before acute MI onset. Regression analysis results indicates that the risk of having acute MI is associated with exposure to quarrels (95%CI1.19-3.38, OR=2.01, P=0.008), unexpected news (95%CI1.35-3.53, OR=2.19, P=0.001), and partner bereavement (95%CI0.08-0.84, OR=0.27, P=0.024) prior to acute MI onset. Conclusion: The most important emotional triggers of acute MI were quarrels, unexpected news, and partner bereavement during hazard period. Therefore, it is necessary to take these factors into account in order to raise awareness among at-risk people, and to use appropriate emotional control mechanisms to reduce stress after these events.