Fatigue, mood, and hemodynamic patterns after myocardial infarction

Fatigue and acute coronary syndrome: a systematic review of contributing factors

Fatigue is a symptom of ACS, but it remains unclear who is at risk and what factors contribute to fatigue. The purpose of the systematic review was to identify factors that influence fatigue in patients with ACS. The review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Literature published from 1981 to 2017 was reviewed, and of 983 articles screened, 36 met inclusion criteria. Variables contributing to fatigue fell into 3 categories: demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and other factors. More fatigue was found in women than men, and significant differences in fatigue were identified by race. Additionally, sleep deprivation, depression, and anxiety were associated with higher levels of fatigue. The findings highlight the importance of demographic, clinical, and other factors' impact on fatigue in ACS patients. Fatigue is an important symptom in ACS and healthcare providers must recognize how patient variables affect symptom expression.

Fatigue and physical activity after myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is prevalent after myocardial infarction (MI) and is a barrier to physical activity (PA). Because PA is an important health behavior in preventing or delaying recurrent MIs, examining the influence of biophysical markers and fatigue on PA is important as a prerequisite to developing effective interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared PA in 34 men and 38 women, aged 65 and older, 6-8 months post MI, and examined the influence of biophysiological measures and fatigue on PA in this sample.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design, adults completed a demographic form that included documentation of blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight; the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (RPFS), and the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Adults, and blood collection for measurement of hemoglobin (Hgb), interleukin-6, and B-natriuretic peptide.

RESULTS

There were no differences in frequency of PA between older men and older women; however, men reported a higher intensity of PA (p = .011). When controlling for sex, age, and biophysiological measures, the RPFS significantly explained 16% of the variance in the frequency of PA (p = .03), with no individual subscale serving as a significant predictor. The RPFS behavior/severity subscale explained 31% of the variance in energy expended on all PA (p < .001) and 40% of the variance in energy expended on moderate-intensity PA (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The older adults participating in this study did not participate in the recommended levels of PA, and fatigue significantly influenced PA post MI.

Gender differences in fatigue associated with acute myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

Fatigue is a symptom of acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, few studies have characterized the fatigue associated with AMI in men and women.

METHODS

The convenience sample included 88 men and 28 women admitted with a diagnosis of AMI at 6 Midwestern facilities. Data were collected upon hospital admission and 30 days after discharge. A total of 37 men and 10 women responded to the 30-day questionnaires. The Profile of Mood States Fatigue (POMS-F) subscale was used to measure fatigue and the Depression-Dejection subscale to measure depressed mood.

RESULTS

At baseline, significant gender differences were found, with women more likely to have higher POMS-F scores (15.80, SD = 7.33) than men (11.19, SD = 7.04, P = .004). Significant gender differences were also found at 30 days (t = 2.40, df = 45, P = .02). POMS-F scores for women were higher at baseline, with decreased fatigue levels 30 days after discharge (t = 5.36, df = 9, P < or = .05). No differences were found in POMS-F scores for men (t = 1.26, df = 36, P = .213) between baseline and 30 days after discharge. Fatigue was associated with depressed mood and gender at baseline (R(2) = 0.48, P < .05) and 30 days after discharge (R(2) = 0.308, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this sample, fatigue at baseline and at 30 days after discharge was associated with gender and depressed mood. Women reported high levels of fatigue with AMI and lower fatigue after discharge. Men reported moderate to high fatigue levels, which did not change over time. Further research is needed to discern fatigue patterns before and after AMI.

Vitality and recurrent event risk in acute myocardial infarction survivors

Background

Low vitality, characterized by fatigue and lack of energy, is common among survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and has been shown to be associated with increased risk of primary and secondary cardiac events. The goal of this study was to determine whether an association between vitality and recurrent cardiac events (nonfatal MI, cardiac death) among acute MI survivors persists after controlling for possible physiological and psychological confounders.

Design and methods

Incident AMI survivors ( n = 1328) from Erie and Niagara (New York) county hospitals were enrolled and followed up to 9 years. Vitality was measured by the Short Form-36 on a 0–100 scale approximately 4 months post-AMI. Cox proportional hazards models were developed to assess the vitality-recurrent event association controlling for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, index MI severity, and psychological correlates of vitality.

Results

Low-vitality individuals at baseline were more likely females, of higher BMI, smoking, diabetic, less physically active, and to have worse depression scores. Vitality was not strongly associated with MI severity markers. Lower vitality scores were associated with increased risk of recurrent cardiac events: adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for vitality scores 51–79, 21–50, and ≤ 20 (compared with ≥ 80) were 1.2 (0.8, 1.8), 1.4 (0.9, 2.2), and 2.9 (1.5, 5.4), respectively ( Ptrend = 0.005).

Conclusion

Low vitality was associated with increased risk of recurrent cardiac events among AMI survivors after controlling for physiological and psychological confounders. Mechanistic links with vitality should be sought as interventional targets.

Fatigue and physical activity in older women after myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Within 6 years of a myocardial infarction (MI) more women (35%) than men (18%) will have another MI. Participation in physical activity is one of the most effective methods to reduce cardiac risks; however, few older women participate. One of the most frequently reported barriers to physical activity is fatigue.

OBJECTIVES

The specific aims of this study were to (1) describe factors related to fatigue in older women after MI and (2) examine the relationship of fatigue to physical activity in older women after MI.

METHODS

This descriptive correlational study examined the effects of age, body mass index, comorbidities, sleep, beta-blocker medication, depression, and social support on fatigue and physical activity in women (N = 84), ages 65 to 88 years old, 6 to 12 months post-MI. All women had their height and weight measured and completed (1) a health form on comorbidities, physical activity, and medication history; (2) the Geriatric Depression Scale; (3) the Epworth Sleepiness Scale; (4) the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale; and (5) the Social Provisions Scale.

RESULTS

The majority (67%) of the women reported fatigue that they perceived as different from fatigue before their MI. Moderately strong correlations were noted among depression, sleep, and fatigue, and multivariate analysis indicated that depression and sleep significantly accounted for 32.7% of the variance in fatigue. Although only 61% of the women reported participating in physical activity for exercise, most were meeting minimal kilocalories per week for secondary prevention. Fatigue was not significantly associated with participation in physical activity.

CONCLUSION

Describing correlates to fatigue and older women's participation in physical activity after MI are important to develop interventions targeted at increasing women's participation in physical activity, thus decreasing their risk for recurrent MIs.