[Psychic changes in relation to the characteristics of the cardiac pain syndrome of myocardial infarct patients].

The authors analyze the results of clinical investigation, including bicycle ergometry, of 140 men, after myocardial infarction. The psychic state was studied with the aid of a clinical scale and also of the psychological MMPI test. In 66.4% of the cases various psychopathological changes have been recorded. The more severe psychic changes, mainly in the form of hypochondriac disorders were seen in patients with cardialgia (76.9%) and when cardialgia was associated with angina pectoris (88.9%). These data point to the important role played by the psychological factors in the pathogenesis of the cardialgia syndrome, which suggests that a comprehensive scheme of treatment of these patients after myocardial infarction must include, besides the antianginal drugs, psychotherapy and psychotropic medicines.