Incidence of postacute myocardial infarction complications between alcohol users and nonalcohol users

This ex-post facto study examined the medical records of 66 postacute myocardial infarction (MI) men to compare the incidence of potentially life-threatening complications between alcohol users and nonusers. A statistically significant difference was hypothesized between the two groups in the frequency of 1) arrhythmias, 2) congestive heart failure, and 3) emboli. A one-way analysis-of-variance of the data, however, did not support the hypothesis (p > .05), therefore, the alcohol user did not differ from the nonuser at a statistically significant level. Additional findings, however, suggested that the alcohol-using subject would have a more severe heart attack, be younger at the onset of his MI (mean 58-93 years), and tend to be a more active smoker than the nonuser. The nonuser did have some conduction disturbances at a statistically significant level, but this finding may have been due to deterioration of conduction tissue expected in an older population (nonuser, mean age, 66-74). For future studies, this investigation recommended collection of data during the acute MI period and control of some variables, such as age and risk factors. The nursing profession must recognize regular alcohol use as a potentially dangerous problem for individuals, especially those with coronary artery disease. Postacute MI patients should be observed for signs of left ventricular dysfunction, and taught a discerning use of alcohol to avoid further aggravation of heart disease.