The interplay between social and cultural context and perceptions of cardiovascular disease

This paper seeks to explore the impact of social and cultural factors upon perceptions of the patients' cardiovascular risk and intended lifestyle cha nges. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. The sampl e was purposeful; matched groups of 10 first time post myocardial infarctio n (MI) patients, 10 informal (spouse, blood relative or partner) and 10 for mal carers (nursing staff) were selected on a convenience basis. Personal i nterviews were conducted with participants, during which a semistructured q uestionnaire was completed. A combination of descriptive statistics and qua litative analysis of these data revealed that social and cultural factors f ormed the basis of patients' and informal carers' perceptions of cardiovasc ular risks and social information networks provided the main source of info rmation about cardiovascular risk. For the staff, known risk factors based on epidemiological evidence (lack of exercise and diet) formed the basis of their perceptions of the patients' cardiovascular risk factors. However, f or all the participant groups (i.e. patients, informal carers and staff) th e risk factors - diet and exercise were indicated as being the patients' in tended lifestyle changes., The results illustrate potential interplay betwe en 'social' and 'cultural' context and perceptions of cardiovascular risk a nd incongruency between perceptions of risk and perceptions of the patients ' intended lifestyle change. These results may assist nurses in giving effe ctive advice to patients and relatives about lifestyle change following myo cardial infarction and inform future policy for cardiac rehabilitation.