PURPOSE This study was conducted to identify the factors that predict a current smoking behavior and higher emotional stress among male patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS The study was approved by an institutional review board from a university hospital, 2010. A face to face interview using questionnaires was performed with 185 first-time ACS male patients who were undertaken a percutaneous coronary intervention at a cardiovascular care unit. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 15.0. RESULTS About 54% of the study subjects were currently smoking. The current smokers had dyslipidemia and reported bad eating habits compared to the non-smokers. The current smokers were younger, living alone, and reported lower perceived benefit on smoking cessation than the non-smokers, and 15% of them did not consider quitting (precontemplation stage). Smoking status was not significantly related to emotional stress. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being employed including professional or labor increased the odds of current smoking four or three times compared to the non-employed or retired. Low income or dyslipidemia also increased the likelihood of current smoking 2.8 and 2.1 times, respectively. Blue collar workers or heavy drinkers had 2.9 and 2.8 times more risks of having higher level of stress. CONCLUSION An occupational background and health habits should be considered to develop an effective educational strategy for smoking cessation and stress reduction among male patients with ACS.
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