[Findings from a socio-medical study of acute myocardial infarct]

An investigation of the lifestyle of 80 patients with acute myocardial infarction was made in cooperation of Olomouc doctors and sociologists in 1987 and 1988. By means of questionnaires replies to 128 questions with 191 items were assembled. The findings were compared with a group of 378 people not treated on account of this disease and in some respects also with 89 patients treated in conjunction with a cerebrovascular attack. The investigation confirmed the great risk, in particular of men having responsible jobs, as well as the risk of subjects with prolonged traumas not compensated by adequate physical activities. The risk factor is work overload, prolonged mental strain, underrating of mental hygiene and psychotraining. The investigation confirmed also the negative role of a high blood pressure (frequently not treated), an unsuitable composition of the diet, overweight, diabetes. The factor of general satisfaction with professional achievements cannot balance the negative influence of these "destructive factors". As compared with a group of healthy subjects, patients had before the disease more frequently a very indifferent attitude to principles of a healthy lifestyle recommended by doctors.