Pacemaker implantation improves the quality of life of most patients, especially in the initial period after implantation. It is necessary to measure the long-term quality of life and factors that can affect it-stress and illness acceptance. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of stress and illness acceptance on the quality of life of patients after pacemaker implantation. To obtain final conclusions, we performed a survey on a group of 100 patients with implanted pacemakers. Our survey consists of standardized research tools to check the quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), perceived stress and ways to cope with it (PSS-10, mini-COPE) and acceptance of illness (AIS). The results of the study were summarized in a statistical analysis. At least a good quality of life was declared by more than half of the respondents [Me = 4; 95% PU (4, 4)]. The average result obtained by the respondents when converted to the STEN scale was six. The respondents were characterized by a moderate level of stress compared to the PSS-10 norms and it was related to the quality of life. Similar, statistically significant correlations were presented as mini-COPE and AIS results. Respondents were most likely to use acceptance strategies, active coping methods, when dealing with something else and planning. The rarest strategies were doing nothing and taking pharmaceuticals. The average score on the acceptance of illness scale was (M = 22.14; SD = 6.05), which is more than the result obtained by patients from the AIS normalization group. It shows that assessed patients after pacemaker implantation declare the general quality of life as good or higher. Additionally, this quality of life is closely related to stress levels, coping strategies and acceptance of illness, which shows us the importance of research in this area.
Keywords: artificial pacemaker; behavior; psychological stress; quality of life.