[The "Medical-Psychologic Questionnaire for Heart Patients": a study of the assessment of the validity of a study instrument for psychological health of patients following myocardial infarct].

Correlations between scales and items of the "MPFH", and physical performance of MI-patients, lead us to conclude that the self-perception of decreased physical performance after MI is often generalized and thus leads to a decrease in self-esteem, often connected with feelings of social isolation. This pattern of reaction can in itself be a new risk factor during rehabilitation. Psychological rehabilitation must therefore focus on both: 1. trying to find a meaningful balance between moderate increase in physical performance and psychological adaptation to the reduction in performance, and 2. trying to reduce the feeling of social isolation which comes along with decreased physical performance.