Psychological factors influencing smoking persistence in coronary patients

PURPOSE--To study the psychological factors influence on the maintenance of smoking in coronary patients. METHODS--Questionnaire was applied in 40 smoking coronary patients, to investigate the tobacco's dependence type and degree, resistance degree, readiness level to abstinence and attitudes/emotions that favors tobacco's use. Male sex was predominant (75) with age ranging from 25 to 80 (mean 52) years. RESULTS--Regarding the tobacco psychological type dependence, 75 of patients smoke to lower tension, 47.5 presenting a moderate resistance to quit smoking. Concerning the readiness to abstinence, 42.5 of patients were found to be in the contemplative stage. CONCLUSION--The coronary patient quit smoking treatment must include interventions aimed to provide instruments to cope with stressful situations and to increase the motivation to reach an action and maintenance abstinence smoking stage.