Hjerteinfarkt og posttraumatisk stressreaksjon: en kvalitativ studie

An increasing number of people survive myocardial infarction, and research suggests that psychological difficulties are prevalent among heart patients. The aim of the study was to examine the participants’ psychological reactions to myocardial infarction. The study was based on 27 semi-structured interviews. Three central themes emerged: 1) experiences of myocardial infarction and subsequent psychological reactions, 2) experiences of health services, particularly rehabilitation and 3) the significance of health information. The results indicate widespread psychological difficulties among the participants. Several describe the infarction as a traumatic event with stress-related symptoms. The participants’ experiences of their encounters with the health services varied, and they described various factors associated with hospitalisation and rehabilitation as protective or stressful. Lack of health information was found to be stressful, and created uncertainty and unpredictability for the participants. The findings suggest that the participants have psychological reactions following a myocardial infarction. These difficulties impose limitations on daily life activities, and many require more psychological support and better tailored health information than what is currently provided . Keywords: Myocardial infarction, PTSD, anxiety, depression, qualitative study, rehabilitation