
TY  - JOUR
A1  - A. Ong, Michael 
A1  - S. Weeramanthri, Tarun 
T1  - Stress and Worry are Central issues for Indigenous Heart Attack Survivors in the Northern Territory
JF  - Australian Journal of Primary Health
JO  - Aust. J. Prim. Health
Y1  - 2002
VL  - 8
IS  - 2
SP  - 17
EP  - 20
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/PY02021 
N2  - Ischaemic heart disease impacts heavily on the Indigenous population of the Northern Territory, and late presentation may explain part of the mortality differential compared to the non-Indigenous population. We report here on a study that utilised qualitative interview techniques to explore the barriers to presentation in a group of Indigenous heart attack survivors. In particular we focused on their health beliefs, heart attack experiences and views on the health system. Stress and worry were frequently identified issues - as a perceived cause of heart disease, and as a complicating factor in managing heart disease. Practitioners working with Indigenous heart attack survivors need to explicitly identify and address stress-related issues, and preventive community programs need to recognise that heart disease and stress are intimately related, with heart disease often seen as a symbol of contemporary social problems and uncertain community direction. 
ER  -

