Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies among Patients with Myocardial Infarction at a Tertiary care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Stressful life events have strong etiological significance in myocardial infarction (MI). However, perceived stress and coping strategies in MI patients are not fully elucidated. We assessed perceived stress and coping strategies in MI patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study from June 2023 to June 2024 included 156 MI patients. Data on psychosocial stressors, perceived stress, and coping strategies were collected using structured questionnaires: Presumptive stressful life events scale (PSLES), perceived stress scale (PSS), and proactive coping inventory (PCI). Statistical analyses assessed the relationship between perceived stress and coping strategies.
Results: Most patients (69%) were over 45 years old, predominantly male (85%), and from rural areas (53%). High levels of perceived stress were reported in 44% of patients. The most common psychosocial stressors were financial, marital, and workplace issues. Coping strategies varied significantly, with those having higher mean scores on instrumental support-seeking, emotional support-seeking, and avoidance strategies showing significantly higher perceived stress (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Psychosocial stressors and perceived stress are important etiological factors of MI, and the type of coping strategy employed plays a crucial role. Proactive, reflective, strategic and preventive coping strategies aid in reducing stress levels and improving patient outcomes. This study highlights the need to educate individuals on effective coping strategies to improve stress management.