Prediction of emotional and social outcome after a heart attack

Data from two prospectively studied series of patients recovering from heart attacks (n = 129 and 100) were analysed to determine the extent to which early findings can predict later psychological and social outcome. Some aspects of early and late outcome can be predicted with modest accuracy by multiple regression analysis of information obtained during the acute hospital admission. More accurate, and therefore clinically more useful, prediction of late outcome is possible in early convalescence. It is suggested that systematic clinical assessment during admission and a few weeks after return home could detect most patients in need of extra specialist rehabilitation.