Anxiety predicts poor perceived health in patients with an implantable defibrillator

Implantation with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may cause psychological problems, including anxiety.

The objective was to determine whether general anxiety and disease-specific anxiety differentially predict poor perceived health in ICD patients.

Patient concerns about the ICD and feelings of disability were independently predicted by general as well as disease-specific anxiety. Clinical anxiety was predicted by general anxiety only, whereas cardiopulmonary symptoms were predicted by disease-specific anxiety.

Identifying and supporting ICD patients with various anxiety symptoms is important. Future research should examine the differential predictive value of different forms of anxiety toward medical endpoints as well as possible interventions for disease-related anxiety.