CARDIAC PATIENTS’ CAUSAL ATTRIBUTIONS FOR CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Abstract

Accurate casual attributions for CHD have been associated with more congruent risk reduction behaviours and improved health outcomes. This article aimed to assess causal attributions for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) of Middle Eastern women diagnosed with heart disease using different risk targets and compare these attributions with participants' actual. Using a survey methodology, 121 female patients in cardiac units of three public hospitals in Iran and Australia completed a questionnaire concerning causal attributions for CHD, as applied to themselves and women generally. Clinical data were collected from the patients' medical record and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (the DASS) was used to assess the psychological status of participants. Despite being hospitalized with a diagnosis of CHD and having a high burden of risk factors, study participants had limited awareness of their personal risk factors. Overall, 47, 26 and 9% of participants either inaccurately denied or were uncertain of having hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and hypertension respectively. Only 6% of participants attributed their heart disease to lifestyle factors whilst above half attributed their disease to stress (55%). Participants were more likely to have accurate casual attribution when they applied the risk to women generally than themselves. Middle Eastern women in this study showed inaccurate casual attribution to CHD, particularly when they applied the risk to themselves. A clear specification of risk target is suggested when studying patients' perceptions of risk and risk factors.

The lived experiences of patients post coronary angioplasty: A qualitative study

“…Although understanding of risk cannot always lead to positive behavior change, an accurate perception of one's personal risk helps to motivate the patient to initiate positive lifestyle changes to reduce future cardiac events. 20,33 In this study, many patients mentioned experiencing negative psychological momentum after coronary angioplasty, including feeling of loss, a sense of vulnerability, persistent anxiety, living in an ongoing uncertainty, and becoming more conscious about death. Patients reported feelings of a significant physical and psychological loss, which had adversely affected their overall well-being and confidence to become engaged in risk-reducing behaviors, such as participating in physical activities.…”