The study was conducted in 2014-2015 and includes over 1300 patients who were admitted with acute myocardial infarction or stable / unstable angina at two general hospitals (Drammen and Vestfold) from 2011-2014. Data on medical history and treatment, cardiovascular risk factors, participation in cardiac rehabilitation and follow-up were collected form hospital discharge letters. The patients also completed a comprehensive questionnaire about education, work, marital status, behavior, heart medications and drug adherence, side-effects, illness and risk perception, quality of life and psychological factors. They participated in a clinical examination (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure) with blood samples (lipid profile and inflammatory markers) and provided saliva samples for genetic analysis. Blood samples from half of the patients were stored in the research biobank for later analyzes.
We also conducted in-depth interviews with a random sample of the patients` primary care physicians (N= 35). Through a so-called SWOT analysis, we collected information about physicians views on their own strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities in relation to secondary preventive treatment and follow-up care.
