Social Network and Support among MI-Women during the Three Months following upon a First Myocardial Infarction

Research on women's recovery from myocardial infarction (MI), especially cardiac rehabilitation efforts, has not been carried out thoroughly enough. The aim of the study was to determine women's social network and support changes during the three months following a first MI. The study had a longitudinal design composed as a 3-month follow-up. It was carried out in 18 acute hospitals serving two million people in Sweden. Subjects were 240 women <70 years of age with a first MI chosen in consecutive order. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse two questionnaires. During the 3-month period they reported that social support needs changed from emotional to belonging (p=.07); support was obtained from laymen and health care professionals and the work of the latter became more important (p<.002). The main problem was physical, but psychological problems increased (p=.07); two-thirds intended to participate in a rehabilitation programme while only 50% actually did so (p<.002). Almost all relatives and health care professionals took the women's symptoms seriously, but on first hospital admission one-third did not (p<.001). The identification and description of women's life situation with a first MI indicate the need for further assessments and implementations in several fields; i.e. the patient, the spouse, the health care professionals and the public health administration.