The effects of family-friend visits on anxiety, physiological indices and well-being of MI patients admitted to a coronary care unit

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of family-friend visits on anxiety, physiological indices and well-being of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: A checklist was used to gather socio-demographic data and physiologic indices including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and arterial oxygen saturation. The short-form of the Spielberger state anxiety inventory, a visual analog scale well-being and cardiac monitoring devices were used for collecting data.

Results: Patients exhibited a lower heart rate and respiratory rate in the normal range during the 10-min visiting period and within 10 and 30 min after the visiting period. The arterial oxygen saturation increased in this period. After the visiting period, patients exhibited an increase in the sense of well-being and a decrease in the level of anxiety.

Conclusion: Family-friend visits can improve MI patients' sense of well-being and decrease their anxiety. Moreover, the visits can help to keep the physiological indices within normal limits.

Keywords: Anxiety; CCU; Family-friend visits; Physiological indices; Well-being.