Life after a myocardial infarction--the wives' point of view

37 wives of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) were interviewed after the index MI to examine the consequences with regard to quality of marital relationship, symptoms of distress, worries and concerns and to evaluate the long-term outcome from the wives' personal point of view. The interviews were done at three times: during hospitalisation, three months after discharge, and 10 years post index MI. Our findings suggest relatively minor and time-limited adjustment problems concerning marital relationship and symptoms of distress. In a long-term perspective, only a few lasting changes were found. On the other hand, the wives' subjective assessment of the long-term effects of the infarct within different domains of life indicated that the illness episode had a comprehensive negative influence on their quality of life. In accordance with this, the majority reported that the myocardial infarction was still not a closed episode.