Potential role of positive psychology on risk stratification in patients with myocardial infarction

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess whether biological risk factors after MI are associated with different positive psychology factors (i.e.: optimism, well-being, positive affect), which could help refine risk stratification with regard to different therapeutic strategies to promote lifestyle changes.Methods: Ninety-three patients admitted with MI were divided according to early electrocar-diogram (STEMI vs. NSTEMI) and cardiac function (LVEF =50% vs. <50%). Patients were assessed in coping styles, quality of life, levels of anxiety, depression, stress, optimism, positive and negative affect and psychological well-being.Results: STEMI participants exhibited significantly lower levels of optimism (p = 0.03) compared to NSTEMI patients. LVEF <50% participants showed significantly lower levels of positive affect (p = 0.02) than LVEF> 50% ones.Conclusions: High biological risk patients with MI (i.e., STEMI and poor LVEF) seem to have lower levels of positive psychology factors compared to biological lower risk patients (NSTEMI and LVEF =50%). This may have future implications for the cardiac rehabilitation of patients with MI.

Automated summary

The aim of this study is to assess the association between biological risk factors after MI and positive psychology factors, such as optimism, well-being, and positive affect. This study suggests that high biological risk patients with MI have lower levels of positive psychology factors, which may have implications for cardiac rehabilitation.