Patient Response to Acute Episodes of Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

Of 382 patients with acute symptoms of coronary heart disease, 160 were hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, 68 were hospitalized with acute coronary insufficiency, sixteen were hospitalized with acute congestive heart failure, and 138 died before admission to the hospital. Self-treatment with prescribed medications or household remedies was noted in 74% of the entire group, changes in physical activity in 88%, and attention to social proprieties and continuing social obligations in one third. Some forms of activity and self-treatment were potentially harmful. The spectrum of activities was similar for those hospitalized as compared to those who died before hospital arrival.