Relationship of hope and stress after myocardial infarction

This study examines the relationship of perceived stress associated with an acute myocardial infarction and the patient's perception of hope in the coronary care unit. The subjects, 40 to 70 years of age, had experienced a first myocardial infarction. The research design was a nonexperimental, retrospective study using a convenience sample. The highest percentages of perceived stress were associated with the factors of unfamiliar surroundings and missing one's spouse. The sample population had high hopefulness scores for the factors of feelings about the future and personal motivation but ambivalent scores associated with future expectancies. Correlation of scale scores revealed no statistical relationship between perceived hope and stress for this sample population. Clinical applications are multiple. Nursing interventions to reduce stress should include an in-depth orientation to the environment and should allow for frequent contact with one's spouse. Denial must be considered as a basis for a high degree of hope perception during the first 7 days after infarction.