Post-traumatic stress disorder following myocardial infarction: prevalence and risk factors.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with negative impacts on physical health. Victims of a myocardial infarction (MI) who develop PTSD may be particularly affected by these impacts due to their cardiovascular vulnerability. Post-traumatic reactions in this population are not well known.

Acute stress disorder after myocardial infarction: prevalence and associated factors.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of acute stress disorder (ASD) after a myocardial infarction (MI) and the factors associated with its development.

Methods: Of 1344 MI patients admitted to three Canadian hospitals, 474 patients did not meet the inclusion criteria and 393 declined participation in the study; 477 patients consented to participate in the study. A structured interview and questionnaires were administered to patients 48 hours to 14 days post MI (mean +/- standard deviation = 4 +/- 2.