This is an observational study to determine the association between social support and functional status after a myocardial infarct

Primary objectives:

Our primary objective is to determine among patients hospitalized for a myocardial infarction, the impact of emotional support on functional outcomes at two years as measured by a valid measure of functional health, the SF-36.

Secondary Objectives:

Our secondary objectives are:

1. To determine the types of social support which are perceived as being most helpful to patients.
2. To determine whether women and minority patients have unique views on the types of support that are helpful.
3. To determine among patients admitted for myocardial infarction, the impact of social support on length of stay and hospital readmissions.

Hypothesis:

Our hypotheses are as follows:

1. Patients who are hospitalized for a myocardial infarction and who have high emotional support will have better long-term functional status compared to those patients who have low support.
2. Patients with high emotional support will be more likely to adhere to protocols such as taking their medications, keeping appointment, and enrolling in cardiac rehabilitation.
3. Patients with high emotional support will have lengths of hospitalization which are shorter than their estimated geometric mean as compared to patients who have low support.
4. The types of social support which are perceived as most helpful in disease management will be influenced by gender and ethnicity.

Long-term Objectives:

The long-term objective is to determine the mechanisms by which social support impacts on functional health and to utilize this data to develop future interventions that can be targeted toward a culturally and ethically diverse cohort of patients with coronary artery disease. Overall, the goal is to use this data to prevent functional disability and improve quality of life among patients with coronary artery disease.

• Patients who have had a documented myocardial infarction by EKG and laboratory criteria will be eligible. The attending cardiologist of these patients will be approached. Once the attending cardiologist declares that a patient is clinically stable enough for participation, they will be approached, told about the study, and asked if they wish to participate.

Convenience sample