For CAD, Does Mental Health Differ by Ethnicity/Race in Post-MI Females 50 Years and Older?

Purpose: Older males and females have similar incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD); however, there is limited research surrounding how mental health in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients differs by ethnicity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether mental health differs by ethnicity in post-MI older adult females with CAD. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used 2015 BRFSS data for females 50 years of age and older from Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between mental health and ethnicity/race while controlling for age, education level, income level, marital status, physical activity, and depression. Results: The majority of women reported 30 good days of mental health in the last month (56-58%); and 73-80% reported their race as white. After controlling for demographic factors, physical activity and depression, mental health did not differ significantly by ethnicity/race in any of the three states. However, mental health was significantly related to age in two of three states and depression across all states. Conclusion: Mental health did not differ significantly by ethnicity in post-MI older adult females with CAD. However, within this target population, good mental health was significantly related to those aged 65 and older and to those with a previous diagnosis of depression. Although there was no information regarding mental health progression following a myocardial infarction, primary care providers and cardiologists should screen all post-MI female patients, despite their ethnicity, for poor mental health, especially those who are aged 50-64 or who have a previous diagnosis of depression. Mental health education and a referral to a mental health professional, as necessary, should be provided to post-MI older adult females of all ethnicities.