Fatigue, Depression, Cardiovascular Risk, and Self-Rated Health: Comparing a Community Sample of Adults to Those With a History of Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to compare fatigue, depression, cardiovascular risk, and self-rated health in community dwelling adults (CDA) without a history of myocardial infarction (MI) compared to adults who had experienced an MI 3 to 7 years ago. A convenience sample ( n = 40) of CDA completed: demographic health form, Revised Piper Fatigue Scale, and CES-D. Age-matched controls ( n = 40) were randomly selected from the Recurrence of Myocardial Infarction (ROMI) study. Most ( N = 80) were White (66%) with a mean age of 58.3 ( SD = 11.5; range 21–83). The ROMI group reported more diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and hypertension, and had higher fatigue ( t(61) = 4.51, p < .001). No differences were noted in depression scores ( p = .952). Higher fatigue and depression scores were correlated with poorer self-rated health: r = .544 ( p < .001) and r = .295 ( p = .008).