The experiences of those following Acute Myocardial Infarction and primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Abstract

As a result of advances in technology and treatment techniques, interventional Cardiology has made huge inroads into the treatment of patients admitted to Coronary Care Units. The management of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) often involves primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) followed by a rapid recovery. Patients often do not experience significant pain during recovery, have reduced hospital stay and return to work sooner than in the past and they may therefore dismiss the significance of their cardiac illness as just a passing event. The meaning that these patients assign to this event plays a pivotal role in their subsequent health behaviour, including Cardiac Rehabilitation attendance, medication adherence, functional status, return to work and physical functioning.