DALLAS, March 17 -- The absence of emotional support for elderly women hospitalized for heart failure places them at high risk for additional heart problems, according to a study in today's Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
"Patients without emotional support had more than threefold odds increase in the risk of cardiovascular events in the year after admission compared with patients with emotional support," says the study's lead author, Harlan Krumholz, M.D., associate professor of medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. Cardiovascular events include rehospitalization for heart failure, coronary heart disease and angina (chest pain).
"The absence of emotional support was as important as many risk factors -- such as a history of heart attack or left ventricular ejection fraction, a measure of the heart's pumping function," says Krumholz.
Researchers measured emotional support by asking the question, "Can you count on anyone to provide you with emotional support? For example, talking over problems." Another measure included questions dealing with whether the individuals had strong social ties in their community.
The study reviewed 292 people between 75 and 94 years old of whom 57 percent were female. The study showed a strong association between lack of emotional support and further heart problems among women one year after their hospital admission for heart failure.
"Why women who lack emotional support have higher rates of heart problems is not known. It is possible that emotional support is associated with greater patient adherence to medical therapy and lifestyle recommendations, but there could be other factors involved," says Krumholz. "Our study highlights the importance of social ties and support from intimate contacts."
Heart failure, the most common cause of hospitalization for elderly Medicare patients, is associated with high rates of death and recurrent cardiovascular problems. According to Krumholz, physicians can better determine their patients' prognosis by identifying their levels of emotional support.
"Further studies are necessary to explore the value of treatments designed to enhance sources of emotional support for elderly patients," Krumholz notes.
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NR 98-4873 (Circ/Brief)
Media advisory: Dr. Krumholz may be reached by calling (203) 737-1717. (Please do not publish telephone number.)