01961nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653002600054653001100080653001100091653001200102653002400114653002700138653001400165100002200179700002200201700002100223245013000244300001200374490000700386520128600393022001401679020001401693       2022                            d  c11/202210aMyocardial infarction10aCoping10aStress10aAnxiety10aCausal attributions10aPosttraumatic symptoms10aCognition1 aCristina Castilla1 aFelipe E. García1 aCarmelo Vázquez00aCausal Attributions and Perceived Severity as Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms after a First Myocardial Infarction  a145-1520 v283 aRecent meta-analyses have shown a significant link between symptoms of anxiety and depression, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The presence of these symptoms has a direct impact on the course and the recovery from the CVDs. A less analyzed aspect is the role played by the stress induced by the onset of CVDs conditions and, especially, by acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, we assessed posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), emotional state, health habits, and subjective perception of the event and causal attributions regarding the infarct, in a sample of 76 patients who had suffered an AMI in the previous 48-72 hours. Structural equation analyses and path analyses showed that the severity of PTSS was predicted by the perceived severity of the AMI and by two specific beliefs (i.e., considering that the AMI is a hereditary condition and that the help of others will not be beneficial). The results suggest the possibility of early identification of patients with a higher risk of suffering a high level of stress derived from the AMI. Based on this evidence, we discuss the possibilities of making effective interventions to reduce these symptoms, often ignored in clinical practice, and improve the medical and psychological prognosis of people with AMI.  a1134-7937  a2174-0437