Illness perception in overweight and obese patients with cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the relationship of illness perception with different aspects of cardiac anxiety, general anxiety and depression in a sample of male and female overweight and obese patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

STUDY

DESIGN

The clinical sample included 165 adults (113 males) aged from 32 to 89 years. The patients were admitted to the Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation for a major cardiovascular event, acute myocardial infarction or myocardial revascularization.

MEASUREMENTS: Psychological measurement included questionnaires of illness perception, cardiac anxiety, general anxiety and depression.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Illness perception and cardiac anxiety in patients with CVD were associated with anxiety and depression. Regression analysis showed that illness perception accounts for a significant proportion of the variance in both anxiety and depression for males, but not for females. Gender-specific interrelations between perceptions of CVD and indices of mental health have an implication for interventions to maximize the effect of therapy with these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, Descriptive study.