Stress, Depression Common Among Women With Myocardial Infarction

Stress levels higher in women with MI and obstructive coronary artery disease versus MI with nonobstructive coronary arteries

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) — For women with myocardial infarction (MI), stress and depression are common at the time of MI and two months later, according to a study published in the Oct. 24 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

AnaÃ¯s Hausvater, M.D., from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, and colleagues examined psychosocial factors in women with MI with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and those with MI and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD; 172 and 314 patients, respectively). Measures of perceived stress and depressive symptoms were completed at the time of MI (baseline) and two months later.

The researchers found that women with MINOCA were younger and more diverse than women with MI-CAD. The likelihood of having high stress at the time of MI and two months post-MI was lower for women with MINOCA (Perceived Stress Scale-4 â¥6: 51.0 versus 63.0 percent and 32.5 versus 46.3 percent, respectively). No difference was seen in elevated depressive symptoms at the time of MI or two months post-MI. Between groups, there were no differences in the rate of two-month decline in stress and depression scores.

“Perceived stress and depression decreased over two months in the majority of women, but a subset had persistent or increased symptoms over time,” the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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