Red flags for persistent or worsening anxiety and depression after an acute cardiac event: a 6-month longitudinal study in regional and rural Australia.

Background: While early symptoms of anxiety and depression resolve for many patients soon after an acute cardiac event, the persistence or worsening of symptoms indicates increased mortality risk. It is therefore important to identify the predictors, or red flags, of persistent or worsening anxiety and depression symptoms. Most previous research has focussed on metropolitan patients, hence the need for studies of regional and rural dwellers.

Reduction in 2-year recurrent risk score and improved behavioral outcomes after participation in the "Beating Heart Problems" self-management program: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: While behavior change can improve risk factor profiles and prognosis after an acute cardiac event, patients need assistance to achieve sustained lifestyle changes. We developed the "Beating Heart Problems" cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing program to support patients to develop behavioral and cognitive self-management skills. We report the results of a randomized controlled trial of the program.

Predicting mortality 12 years after an acute cardiac event: comparison between inhospital and 2-month assessment of depressive symptoms in women.

Purpose: Research demonstrates that depression at the time of a cardiac event predicts early mortality. However, the best time for depression screening is unknown. We investigated the prognostic importance of inhospital and 2-month depressive symptoms in predicting 12-year mortality in female cardiac patients.

Lifestyle and physiological risk factor profiles six weeks after an acute cardiac event: are patients achieving recommended targets for secondary prevention?

Background: People who have had a cardiac event are at increased risk of a subsequent event and death and are, therefore, the priority for preventive cardiology in Australia and elsewhere. Guidelines for physiological and lifestyle risk factors have been developed to encourage risk reduction as a means of secondary prevention. The aim of the present study was to investigate achievement of recommended risk factor targets in a sample of Australian cardiac patients.

Anxiety and depression after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: most get better, some get worse.

Background: To target interventions, patients at risk for poor outcomes after a cardiac event need to be identified. We investigated trajectories of anxiety and depression after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) and identified patients at risk of persistent or worsening anxiety and depression.

Methods: A consecutive sample of 184 patients on the waiting list for CABGS at The Royal Melbourne Hospital completed self-report questionnaires before surgery, and at 2 and 6 months postsurgery.

Living alone predicts 30-day hospital readmission after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: Earlier studies show that medical factors and disease severity predict early readmission to hospital after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). Few studies have investigated psychosocial predictors. This study investigated medical, sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors of 30-day hospital readmission.

Trajectories and predictors of anxiety and depression in women during the 12 months following an acute cardiac event.

Objectives: Many previous investigations of the recovery of emotional well-being, particularly the resolution of depression, following an acute cardiac event assume that all patients follow a similar, linear trajectory. However, it is possible that there are different groups of patients who follow different trajectories. This study tested for multiple trajectories of anxiety and depression and identified the characteristics of patients most at risk for persistent or worsening anxiety and depression in the 12 months following their cardiac event.

Change in women's dietary fat intake following an acute cardiac event: Extent, predictors and comparison with non-cardiac Australian women and older adults.

Background: Cardiac patients are encouraged to reduce their dietary fat intake, yet few studies have assessed fat intake in female cardiac patients.

Aim: We assessed changes in fat intake for female cardiac patients at four occasions during the first year following their event, and compared it with fat intake for a non-cardiac sample.

Methods: The Short Fat Questionnaire (SFQ) was administered to 239 women aged 36 to 84 years consecutively admitted to four hospitals at the time of an acute event.

Causal attributions for coronary heart disease among female cardiac patients.

Purpose: Beliefs about the etiology of coronary heart disease (CHD) can influence patient outcomes following an acute cardiac event. However, past research has focused predominantly on male patients. The present study investigated causal attributions and their associations with actual risk profiles in female cardiac patients.