Health-related Quality of Life in Symptomatic Postmyocardial Infarction Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Purpose: Symptoms of postmyocardial infarction (post-MI) patients at risk for progression to heart failure are often ignored, and lack of symptom recognition or misinterpretation may diminish health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study was conducted to evaluate the differences in HRQoL by symptom experience and determine factors that predict diminished HRQoL in post-MI patients. Methods: Using a descriptive correlational study design, post-MI patients with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 50%) completed face-to-face interviews for symptoms, HRQoL, covariates including self-care compliance, New York Heart Association class, and demographic and clinical questionnaires. Results: A total of 105 post-MI patients participated (mean age 65 years, 79.0% male, mean ejection fraction 43.6%, New York Heart Association class III/IV 33.3%). Mean length of time after the cardiac event was 48 months. Patients reported four or more symptoms, with fatigue being the most common symptom (63.8%), followed by shortness of breath (56.2%), weakness (54.3%), and dizziness (51.4%). HRQoL was moderately poor, with a mean score of 44.38 ± 27.66. There was no significant relationship between self-care compliance and HRQoL. Patients who were female, with low monthly income, and had lower functional capacity and more symptoms had worse HRQoL, after controlling for age and length of time after the event (adjusted R2 = 0.53, p