Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are often admitted to intensive cardiac care units (ICCUs) to have their vital signs and ventricular function monitored. In most cases, they are conscious and bedbound, causing high stress and anxiety levels.Aims and objectives: To assess the stressors affecting patients admitted to ICCUs.Design: This is a cross-sectional study performed in a public hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.Methods: A sample of 100 patients with ACS admitted to an ICCU, after 24 hours of hospitalization, was recruited. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and the Intensive Care Unit Stressor Assessment Scale (ICESS) was applied to investigate stressors. The ICESS' internal consistency was estimated by Cronbach's alpha, and the stressors were analysed by descriptive statistics, association tests, and correlation tests.Results: Most patients were male, married, and aged 51 to 60 years. The ICESS showed an excellent internal consistency. The mean score identified in patients pointed to a non-stressed to moderately stressed condition. The indicators considered to be more stressful were as follows: "Not knowing ICU length of stay," "Being unable to fulfil family roles," "Missing husband or wife," and "Loss of self-control."Conclusions: Stress levels were considered to be non-stressful to moderately stressful. The main stressors were related to psychological distress and physical discomfort dimensions.Relevance to clinical practice: Mapping the main stressors of patients with coronary artery disease will allow health professionals to implement strategies to reduce them and consequently reduce their anxiety levels.

A doença arterial coronariana é a principal causa de morbimortalidade no mundo e compromete o desempenho individual e familiar. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os fatores de risco da doença arterial coronariana e associá-los ao perfil sociodemográfico dos familiares conviventes de pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda. Trata-se de estudo transversal realizado em um hospital universitário. A amostra foi composta de 50 famílias distintas e 158 familiares conviventes de pacientes com síndrome coronária aguda. Os fatores de risco foram avaliados mediante entrevista com instrumento elaborado pelos pesquisadores e por meio de instrumentos previamente validados. Os dados foram submetidos à estatística descritiva e para a avaliação das relações entre as variáveis foram utilizados testes de associação. A maioria das famílias apresentava baixa renda, baixo nível de escolaridade e elevado número de conviventes e dependentes. A hipertensão arterial, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemia, obesidade, sedentarismo, etilismo e tabagismo foram os fatores de risco mais encontrados. As associações registradas foram: idade acima dos 51 anos com diabetes mellitus, hipertensão arterial, dislipidemia; idade entre 20 e 50 com alcoolismo e tabagismo; baixa escolaridade com diabetes mellitus, obesidade e hipertensão arterial; estado civil com diabetes mellitus, hipertensão arterial, dislipidemia e alcoolismo; ocupação com alcoolismo e tabagismo; baixa renda com alcoolismo; e o alcoolismo com tabagismo. O estilo de vida inadequado associado aos fatores sociodemográficos e às comorbidades já existentes demonstram a necessidade de educação em saúde também para esses familiares conviventes. Palavras-chave: Fatores de Risco; Doença das Coronárias; Cuidadores. ABSTR ACT Coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and such comorbidity when diagnosed affects the context individual and family performance, so the aim of this study was to identify risk factors for coronary artery disease in cohabiting family members patients with acute coronary syndrome and identify the association of these factors with sociodemographic profile. It is a cross-sectional study, conducted at the University Hospital; the sample was composed of 50 different families and 158 cohabiting family members of patients with the acute coronary syndrome. The risk factors were evaluated by an interview with an instrument developed by the researchers and previously validated instruments. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics and to assess the relationship between the variables association tests were used. Most families had low income, low education level and a high number of cohabiting and dependents. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and smoking were risk factors most commonly found. The age over 51 years was associated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and age between 20 to 50 years showed greater association with alcoholism and smoking; poor education ...

Objective: To identify the need of family members of patients hospitalized in a coronary intensive care unit and their degree of satisfaction with the care provided. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study including family members of patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit for acute coronary syndrome in Killip I or II. After the second visit of the same family member to the patient in the unit, a 43-item inventory of needs and stressors of family members was applied. Family members assessed each need for its importance and satisfaction using a four-point Likert scale. The scores in each dimension of importance and satisfaction were compared using the Wilcoxon test, considering a value of p<0.05 as significant. Results: One hundred family members were interviewed. The most important needs were related to assurance and information. Family members had satisfaction scores corresponding to be very satisfied or totally satisfied, but with lower scores when compared to the needs scores (p<0.01). Conclusion: The most important needs of family members of patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit were related to assurance and information. Multiprofessional interventions involving better communication of patient information to family members should be incorporated into the coronary intensive care unit.

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