SOME SOCIOCULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.

This article focuses on the sociological considerations in patients with myocardial infraction. Many considerations which might be labeled sociological are best applied to medical situations when viewed in the context of their interaction with physiological, biological, psychological, cultural, and environmental determinants of behavior. The cardiologist describes myocardial infarction as a condition in which a portion of the heart muscle has been damaged or destroyed. To recover, the patient not only requires medicines, but also emotional and psychological support. A relationship between the patient's organic and emotional condition has long been recognized. In the presence of myocardial damage the individual's ability to withstand emotional stress is compromised. Emotional conditions such as anxiety can have a marked impact on coronary circulation and can greatly increase the amount of cardiac work required to achieve given tasks. Within the hospital a patient's ability to avoid anxiety depends greatly upon his interpersonal relationships and channels of communication.