Article Navigation
Article Contents
-
Abstract
- < Previous
- Next >
Journal Article
, H Tulloch Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic E Stragapede University of Ottawa Heart Institute , Ottawa , Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic K Bouchard University of Ottawa Heart Institute , Ottawa , Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic L Knight University of Ottawa Heart Institute , Ottawa , Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic D So University of Ottawa Heart Institute , Ottawa , Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic J Reed University of Ottawa Heart Institute , Ottawa , Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic G Wells University of Ottawa Heart Institute , Ottawa , Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic T Coutinho University of Ottawa Heart Institute , Ottawa , Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic
Funding Acknowledgements: Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Canadian Institute of Health Research.
Author Notes
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, Volume 31, Issue Supplement_1, June 2024, zwae175.038, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwae175.038
Published:
13 June 2024
- Split View
- Views
- Article contents
- Figures & tables
- Video
- Audio
- Supplementary Data
-
Cite
Cite
H Tulloch, E Stragapede, K Bouchard, L Knight, D So, J Reed, G Wells, T Coutinho, Pain in my heart: chronic angina is linked to poor mental health among patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, Volume 31, Issue Supplement_1, June 2024, zwae175.038, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwae175.038
Close
Search
Close
Search
Advanced Search
Search Menu
Abstract
Background
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognized form of acute coronary syndrome that often causes myocardial infarction, particularly among women. Even after their dissection has healed, a significant portion of these patients experience ongoing chest pain. Research with patients with obstructive forms of coronary artery disease shows that chronic angina is linked to mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety and, in turn, mortality. To our knowledge, few studies have reported on angina burden among patients with SCAD, and no studies have examined the angina-mental health connection among this unique population. Given their young age, uncertainty about prognosis and treatment, and the prevalence of emotional stressors pre-SCAD, these patients may be at higher risk for chest pain and psychological distress post-SCAD.
Objective
The purpose of the study was to examine the association between angina burden, depression and anxiety among patients with SCAD.
Methods
Patients with a diagnosed SCAD were recruited from a cardiac care hospital. Patients completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and validated measures of angina burden (Seattle Angina Questionnaire; SAQ), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9), generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; GAD-7), cardiac-related anxiety (Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire; CAQ) and posttraumatic stress (PTSD Checklist; PCL-5). Descriptive analyses and bivariate correlations were conducted.
Results
Participants (N=97; 80% female; M age=52 years; 75% White). Overall, patients’ angina-related health status fell in the poor to good category; lower scores were noted for angina stability (i.e., angina when doing strenuous activity). On average, patients reported experiencing angina on a monthly basis. Satisfaction of angina treatment was rated fair to good (M=70.8). About 20% of participants reported clinically elevated symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety, while 14% had scores indicating a probable diagnosis of posttraumatic stress. Cardiac-related anxiety was most prevalent; 40% of participants fell in the clinical range. All SAQ subscales (physical limitation, angina stability, angina frequency, angina treatment satisfaction, and QoL) were negatively associated with depression (r=.29-.41; ps<.004), generalized anxiety (r=.29-.39; ps<.007), cardiac-related anxiety (r=.34-.61; ps<.001) and posttraumatic stress (r=.29-.46; ps<.005).
Conclusions
These preliminary data suggest that chronic angina is strongly linked to mental health symptoms among patients who have experienced SCAD. As depression and anxiety have been previously associated with poor clinical outcomes, interventions to assist patients to cope with chronic angina may be required to enhance mental health and, possibly, improve cardiac outcomes.
This content is only available as a PDF.
Author notes
Funding Acknowledgements: Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Canadian Institute of Health Research.
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.
This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights)
Download all slides
Comments
0 Comments
Comments (0)
Submit a comment
You have entered an invalid code
Thank you for submitting a comment on this article. Your comment will be reviewed and published at the journal's discretion. Please check for further notifications by email.
Advertisem*nt intended for healthcare professionals
Citations
Views
Altmetric
More metrics information
Metrics
Total Views 0
0 Pageviews
0 PDF Downloads
Since 6/16/2024
Citations
Powered by Dimensions
Altmetrics
Email alerts
Article activity alert
Advance article alerts
New issue alert
Receive exclusive offers and updates from Oxford Academic
Citing articles via
Google Scholar
-
Latest
-
Most Read
-
Most Cited
More from Oxford Academic
Cardiovascular Medicine
Clinical Medicine
Medicine and Health
Books
Journals
Advertisem*nt intended for healthcare professionals