Men’s perception after acute myocardial infarction

• Published in: Revista brasileira em promoção da saúde = Brazilian journal in health promotion Vol. 30; no. 3
• Main Authors: Vieira, Marina Belizário, Wendel da Silva Souza, Patrícia Freire Cavalcante, Iracema Gonzaga Moura de Carvalho, de Almeida, Rogério José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fortaleza Universidade de Fortaleza - Centro de Ciências da Saúde 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Diagnosis; Feeding; Heart attacks; Lifestyles; Men; Myocardial infarction; Perception; Qualitative research
• ISSN: 1806-1222; 1806-1230
• DOI: 10.5020/18061230.2017.5833

Objective: To understand men’s perception about their feelings, repercussions of lifestyle change and family participation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Qualitative descriptive study conducted between March and June 2016 in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, using semi-structured interviews with adult men who had an episode of infarction. The analysis of the interviews was based on Grounded Theory, from which the following explanatory categories emerged: Feelings experienced by the patients after diagnosis of AMI; Repercussion of lifestyle change with focus on feeding and physical activity; Family involvement and support. Results: In the midst of the whirlwind of feelings that accompanied the diagnosis of AMI, the fear of finitude and of abandoning the family stood out. Lifestyle change, as an essential element of non-drug treatment, was initiated. However, with regard to feeding, they were partially insufficient due to the lack of adequate nutritional guidelines. As for physical activity, there was adequate awareness, but the difficulty of maintaining the new habit prevailed. Families have proved to be the main source of social support, being decisive in this process. The adherence was partial and the lack of continuity was the main obstacle. Conclusion: The success of continuous therapeutic planning depends on users’ adherence, who experience difficulties in this aspect, even in the face of adequate social support. There is a clear need for raising awareness of secondary prevention and its benefits, of food education and of maintaining habit changes.