Working memory dysfunctions in patients with ischemic heart disease

Background:    Cognitive function disturbances in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) occur relatively often. This fact can have significant influence on physiological, psychological and social aspects of a patient’s life.
    Material/Methods:    The study aimed to assess working memory in patients with IHD. The study group consisted of 111 patients (89 men, 22 women) aged 41–65 years (mean 55±5.6). Mental status in the study population was evaluated by means of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).
    Results:    Patients with IHD demonstrate statistically worse execution of WCST in comparison with the control group in every considered WCST scale: %PE=13.8±7.4; 8.4±3.0,%NPE=13.2±6.6; 7.9±2.6, CC=5.1±1.5; 5.9±0.3, CON=66.4±16.2; 80.7±6.8, TC1STC=19.8±19.5; 13.2±4.1. In the study group statistically important correlations were found between WCST results and years of education and between WCST results and age of patients.
    Conclusions:    Disorders of working memory and executive functions are often especially dangerous in the group of patients with IHD. These memory disorders can have a significant influence on understanding and following medical recommendations. The patient’s altered perception of the environment and of their own body increases the probability of ischemic heart disease exacerbation. Patients do not recognize the symptoms and signs when the disease relapses, which often results in recurrent hospitalizations.

Keywords: working memory deficits, executive functions disturbances, ischemic heart disease