Impact of first myocardial infarction on self-perceived health status

Despite recent advances in the acute management of myocardial infarction (MI), few studies have evaluated self-perceived quality of life in the longer term after MI. We mailed a questionnaire incorporating the short form 12 (SF-12) and seeking information on symptoms, drug therapy, recent investigations and employment status, to 149 patients who had a first MI 2 years previously. The response rate was 82%. Mean physical and mental summary scores were significantly lower in patients than 'normative' controls (physical summary score: 37.0 +/- 11.5 vs. 50.9 +/- 9.4; p < 0.001 and mental summary score: 46.2 +/- 12.8 vs. 52.1 +/- 8.7; p < 0.001, respectively). Physical and mental summary scores were closely associated with continuing chest pain at 2 years, level of limitation on daily activities and employment status. We found the SF-12 to be a useful tool for monitoring health status and believe it could be used to evaluate the impact of interventions on quality of life after acute MI. Self-perceived health status 2 years after a first MI remains poor despite advances in management.