QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: WHAT HAS THE LITERATURE ELUCIDATED?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a very prevalent pathology in Brazil and around the world, being responsible for several considerable changes in the life of the affected patient, who has to deal with physical and psychological challenges. Quality of life is, without a doubt, a foundation for the patient to overcome this trauma, considering that physical and mental factors, linked to due professional support, are decisive for the quality of life after a heart attack. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to present the basic knowledge of this pathology and provide important research results that address the quality of life of patients after acute myocardial infarction. METHODOLOGY: The present study is a non-systematized integrative review, where the LILACS and SciELO databases were used. Based on the descriptors, 36 articles were selected, of which 26 were excluded, after applying exclusion criteria (duplicity and escape from the central theme). In the end, 10 articles remained, which were read in full and analyzed. RESULTS: This review identified that extremely old patients (over 65 years old) and females had worse quality of life rates post-AMI. Domains such as dependence and physical activity were listed as the most difficult to assess. The presence of comorbidities such as depression, obesity, diabetes mellitus had a negative impact throughout the post-infarction period, reducing the recovery of quality of life. Male patients were more susceptible and vulnerable to developing a worsening quality of life when it comes to mental health. CONCLUSION: Therefore, taking into account the validated instruments, it is extremely important to adequately assess patients' quality of life by professionals, focusing on the use and monitoring of the entire multidisciplinary team in the medium and long term, with the patient's purpose in mind. show significant improvement in health and well-being throughout the years after AMI.