10 Jan Non-Cardiac Chest Pain After Acute MI Associated With Poor Quality of Life
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Mohammed Qintar
Dr. Mohammed Qintar, MD
Cardiovascular Fellow
St Luke’s Health System
Kansas City
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: One in four patients experience recurrent chest pain after acute myocardial infarction, but not all patients present with cardiac chest pain secondary to coronary ischemia. The frequency of non-cardiac chest pain re-hospitalitzation after acute myocardial infarction and its impact on patients’ health status has not been described after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Both providers evaluating these patients and patients who have recently suffered an AMI are understandably concerned about any recurrent chest pain symptoms, and often present for urgent evaluation of these symptoms.
In the first year after acute myocardial infarction, we found that a third of patients hospitalized for evaluation of chest pain actually presented with non-cardiac chest pain. Compared with patients not hospitalized with chest pain, non-cardiac chest pain hospitalization was associated with worse angina-related quality of life and general mental and physical health status. The quality of life for patients hospitalized with non-cardiac chest pain was similar to patients hospitalized with cardiac chest pain, suggesting a significant impact on their quality of life even though their pain did not reflect underlying coronary ischemia.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Re-hospitalization for non-cardiac chest pain after acute myocardial infarction is associated with poor quality of life, of the same magnitude as the health status impairment associated with cardiac chest pain. Greater attention to these patients is warranted to help improve their quality of life, prevent further events and decrease costs of care. Patients with non-cardiac chest pain need ongoing evaluation and follow-up to determine the cause of their symptoms and arrange appropriate treatment.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future studies are needed to determine the frequency of various non-cardiac chest pain syndromes, such as panic disorder, musculoskeletal pain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, among others. Moreover, developing novel strategies for preventing and treating non-cardiac chest pain patients is needed to help improve patients’ quality of life and decrease costs of care.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: No disclosures.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Non-Cardiac Chest Pain After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Frequency and Association with Health Status Outcomes
Qintar, Mohammed et al.
American Heart Journal , Volume 0 , Issue 0 ,
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2017.01.001
January 04, 2017
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com
[wysija_form id=”5″]
Last Updated on January 10, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD