State and Trait Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography

Studies have shown that patients awaiting coronary angiography (CA) are often anxious. High level of anxiety can lead to physical and psychological stress with adverse effects on organs, especially heart. The information on state anxiety continual and the trait anxiety level in these patients is limited in the literature. This study was thus designed to investigate state anxiety continual and the trait anxiety level in patients undergoing CA. A cross-sectional study was conducted by enrolling 50 patients. A demographic questionnaire and Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory were used for data collection. T-test and repeated measure ANOVA test was used to compare the anxiety level at various states. The baseline state and trait anxiety mean levels in patients were low (34.36 ± 5.56, 35.9 8± 7.49, respectively). The highest level of both state and trait anxieties was observed 30 min before CA and it was significantly higher than the corresponding value at baseline state as well as the anxiety after CA (P < 0.05). Female patients were significantly more anxious than male patients both before and after CA (P < 0.05). The highest level of state and trait anxiety was observed immediately before angiography. Given the adverse effect of this problem on patients’ health, it is crucial to assess theses anxieties and take measures to control them in order to protect patients’ health. Training the nurses on this issue, provision of structured care and provision of information to the patients before CA may be effective in reducing the anxiety level. Female should be more focused on in the relevant interventions.