HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Respond to This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Moser, D. K. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Moser, D. K.

"The Rust of Life": Impact of Anxiety on Critically, Acutely, and Chronically Ill Cardiac Patients

Anxiety has both functionally appropriate and pathological consequences. Among patients with cardiac disease, anxiety can be functionally appropriate when it triggers an individual to quickly seek treatment for acute cardiac symptoms. But anxiety may have pathological consequences when it is persistent or severe. These consequences may include the following: difficulty adhering to prescribed treatments and making recommended lifestyle changes, adoption of or failure to change risky behaviors, increased risk for acute cardiac events, and increased risk for in-hospital complications after admission for acute coronary syndrome.

Yet, because anxiety is a universal emotion that is managed without consequence by many people, its significance is often ignored by healthcare providers. The purpose of this presentation is to describe findings from a biobehavioral program of research in which the impact of psychosocial (with a major emphasis on anxiety) and behavioral variables on biological outcomes has been examined systematically. In this program of research we have (1) examined and compared the intensity of anxiety in international samples of various critically, acutely, and chronically ill cardiac patient groups; (2) determined gender differences in the expression of anxiety; (3) investigated factors predicting anxiety levels, including perceived control; (4) studied healthcare providers’ knowledge of anxiety assessment and their practices with regard to the assessment and management of anxiety; (5) determined the impact of anxiety on clinical outcomes in cardiac patients and elucidated mechanisms for the linkage; and (5) tested interventions to decrease anxiety and improve morbidity and mortality. We hope to improve patient outcomes on a widespread basis by placing anxiety in the forefront of clinical cardiac practice.

Debra Moser’s presentation will be published in its entirety in the July 2007 issue of AJCC.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Respond to This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Moser, D. K. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Moser, D. K.