Clinical Implications of a Reduction in Psychological Distress on Cardiac Prognosis in Patients Participating in a Psychosocial Intervention Program

Abstract

The objective of this secondary analysis was to examine the relationships between a reduction in psychological distress and long-term cardiac and psychological outcomes in post–myocardial infarction patients who participated in a randomized trial of home-based psychosocial nursing interventions (the Montreal Heart Attack Readjustment Trial [M-HART]). Gender differences were considered. We studied 433 patients (36.0% women) from the M-HART treatment group who received two home visits after achieving a high psychological distress score (ie, ≥5) on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Short-term GHQ success was determined by a return to a normal GHQ score ( Patients with short-term GHQ success were more likely to show mid-term GHQ success (p p Post–myocardial infarction interventions that reduce psychological distress have the potential to improve long-term prognosis and psychological status for both men and women.