Optimism During Hospitalization for First Acute Myocardial Infarction and Long-Term Mortality Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To assess the association between dispositional optimism, defined as generalized positive expectations about the future, and long-term mortality in young survivors of myocardial infarction (MI).

Patients And Methods: A subcohort of 664 patients 65 years and younger, drawn from the longitudinal Israel Study of First Acute Myocardial Infarction, completed an adapted Life Orientation Test (LOT) questionnaire during their index hospitalization between February 15, 1992, and February 15, 1993. Additional sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables were assessed at baseline; mortality follow-up lasted through December 31, 2015.

Perceived social support at different times after myocardial infarction and long-term mortality risk: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: Previous research has explored the association between social support (SS), cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Perceived SS (PSS) refers to an individual's attitude toward received SS. This study aimed to: (1) assess the association between PSS levels and long-term mortality among first myocardial infarction (MI) survivors, (2) compare the effect of PSS measured shortly after the first MI to PSS measured 10-13 years after MI, and (3) compare the prognostic role of different PSS components: family, friends, and significant others.