Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate how physical limitations after ACS influence
patients’ quality of life and health perception. This was a longitudinal clinical study. We recruited
146 patients diagnosed with ACS. The patients performed a stress test (Bruce’s protocol) for the
evaluation of physical limitations and were classified according to the test result: without physical
limitations (more than 10 METS), with some physical limitations (7 to 9 METS), and with high
physical limitations (less than 6 METS). Significant differences were found between the three groups
immediately after the diagnosis of ACS and after a period of three months, regarding health perception,
anxiety, depression, sexual relationships, distress, and adjustment to disease. These differences
resulted larger between the group with less limitations and the group with higher limitations. After
3 months, however, there was an overall improvement in all variables. In conclusion, physical
limitations after ACS seem to influence perceived quality of life determined by measuring general
health, vitality, total adaptation, emotional role, social adaptation, depression, and anxiety. Therefore,
the highest the physical limitations, the poorer the psychological conditions and vice versa, even
3 months after ACS diagnosis.
|
.png){kind=logo}
