Participants needed for coronary heart disease study

People who have been diagnosed with angina (a form of coronary heart disease) are needed for a study being undertaken by The University of Queensland`s School of Psychology.

The study aims to examine the relationships between various emotions and the frequency and characteristics of angina attacks.

“Research has shown that there is a relationship between certain emotions such as stress, anger and depression and the onset and outcome of coronary heart disease,” said Associate Professor Justin Kenardy.

Dr Kenardy said the study would specifically examine which emotions were most associated with angina.

Participants, from anywhere in Australia, will be sent a questionnaire, which they can complete and return, in a pre-paid envelope. They will also be asked to have a simple checklist signed by their doctor to verify that they have coronary heart disease and do not have a number of other conditions.

Participants must be under 75 years old and have experienced at least one angina attack in the past month. If they have had a heart attack, bypass surgery or angioplasty it must not have been in the past three months.

They should also not have congestive heart failure, a pacemaker, arrhythmia, unstable diabetes or renal failure.

People interested in participating in the study should contact Esben Strodl on 07 3365 6842 or email esben@psy.uq.edu.au.

Media: For further information, contact Esben Strodl (telephone 07 3365 6842, email esben@psy.uq.edu.au) or Joanne van Zeeland at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2619).