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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
What have our patients learnt after being hospitalised for an acute myocardial infarction?
Mary Boyde1, Kylee Grenfell2, Rob Brown2
1Princess Alexandra Hospital, Cardiology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; The University of Queensland, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Insights
Patients with myocardial infarction improved lifestyle behaviors like diet and smoking cessation post-discharge. However, many still lacked adequate knowledge of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) symptoms, indicating a need to enhance patient education strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Patient Education
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Patient education is crucial for individuals experiencing acute cardiovascular events.
- Understanding patient behaviors and knowledge post-myocardial infarction is vital for effective care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cardiovascular risk factor behaviors in patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction.
- To evaluate patients' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after hospitalization.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involved patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction.
- Questionnaires assessed cardiovascular risk behaviors and ACS knowledge, administered before discharge and at a 10-week follow-up.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in diet and smoking cessation behaviors were observed post-discharge (p < 0.001 and p = 0.023, respectively).
- Attitudes and beliefs concerning ACS significantly improved (p = 0.004 and p = 0.008).
- 39% of patients had inadequate knowledge of ACS symptoms at discharge, and only 30% attended cardiac rehabilitation despite 85% expressing intent.
Conclusions:
- Patients adopted healthier lifestyles, including smoking cessation and improved diet, after hospital discharge.
- Enhanced understanding of ACS, attitudes, and beliefs were noted post-discharge.
- Inadequate patient knowledge of ACS symptoms suggests current educational approaches need improvement for myocardial infarction patients.
Background:
Education for hospitalised patients is an important aspect of care for people who have an acute cardiovascular event.
Objective:
To investigate the cardiovascular risk factor behaviours of patients together with their acute coronary syndrome (ACS) knowledge, attitudes and beliefs following admission to hospital for an acute myocardial infarction.
Methods:
Patients diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction participated in an observational study. Patients completed a questionnaire consisting of cardiovascular risk factor behaviour questions and the ACS Response Index prior to discharge and at follow-up 10 weeks later.
Results:
Of the 135 participants enrolled, 114 (84%) completed follow-up, 70% were males; mean age was 63 (± 11.6) years. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (IQR 1) and the time to follow-up after discharge was 10 weeks. Self-reported risk factor behaviours improved significantly for diet (p < 0.001) and smoking cessation (p = 0.023) following discharge. At discharge 39% of patients had inadequate knowledge of ACS symptoms. The ACS Response Index improved significantly after discharge for attitudes (p = 0.004) and beliefs (p = 0.008). Despite 85% of patients indicating they would attend cardiac rehabilitation only 30% had commenced a programme at follow-up.
Conclusion:
Patients reported implementing a number of healthy lifestyle changes following discharge including smoking cessation and healthy eating. Attitudes and beliefs regarding ACS showed a significant improvement following discharge. More than one third of patients had inadequate knowledge at discharge, suggesting current education practices may not be meeting the needs of patients with a myocardial infarction.
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