Ischaemic heart disease (IHD), which is a Chronic Disease of Lifestyle, has been rated as one of the key illnesses that have progressively materialised as a threat across the wide demographic spectrum of South Africa’s population. Internationally, literature is relatively scarce on the psychosocial consequences of the disease for the ill person, but limited information does exist on these consequences as they affect South African individuals and their families. This study sought firstly to understand the experience of persons with IHD, their partners and medical practitioners and secondly how they coped with the illness. Participants were selected with the assistance of cardiologists at a private hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Theoretical sampling determined the number of persons who participated in the study. Data was collected using in-depth interviews in accordance with the qualitative descriptive design and narrative inquiry that underpinned the research. Participants (13) were determined once data-saturation was reached. The data revealed that spousal support and religion/spirituality played important roles in helping people manage the illness. Genetics and lifestyle choices contributed to participants’ IHD. Not recognising their symptoms, owing to misinformation by the medical fraternity, contributed to participants not realising they were having a heart attack. Religious/spiritual coping mechanisms were among those mentioned by participants, and depression (not clinically assessed), anxiety and sadness were noted among the consequences for them. Two of the cardiologists did not acknowledge depression; nevertheless research studies have linked depression with major cardiac attacks and to surgery following cardiac problems. The data points to the lack of communication between participants and their health practitioners and the belief held by participants that the medical personnel were not particularly interested in their psychosocial wellbeing. This seems to be borne out by the limited data obtained from health practitioners. Social workers can play important roles in the health team by ensuring that the psychosocial needs of persons experiencing IHD and their families are attended to. Social workers can publish in health journals to make the medical fraternity aware of the contribution that social workers skills can make to persons who are ill. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

M.Sc. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Litt.et Phil. (Psychology) / Cardiovascular disease, and specific disorders associated with this complex disease pattern, has been the subject of numerous investigations to determine the nature and cause of this disturbance in both white and Black population groups in various countries around the world. Although the findings of research into this matter has been directed mainly towards more effective drugs and more advanced surgical techniques, there are numerous indications in literature and current research that certain social and psychological factors might indeed play an important part in the aetiology and nature of cardiovascular diseases. In a developing Third World country such as the Republic of South Africa, with its complex and heterogenous population, evidence derived from past and current research indicates that cardiovascular disease and the consequences of cardiovascular disease are assuming epidemiological proportions among both White and Black South Africans. Against this background, it appeared necessary to establish whether Black patients with cardiovascular disease also showed the type A behaviour pattern which is closely associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system among Whites. The present study was therefore performed to test the hypothesis firstly that cardiovascular disease and the type A behaviour pattern are closely associated in Blacks, and secondly whether factors such as stress, caused by social readjustment and urbanization, as well as anxiety and diet, plays significant role in cardiovascular disease amongst Blacks. Four groups of patients were selected on the basis of the presence or absence of cardiovascular disorders, and the presence or absence of the type A behaviour pattern. All four groups were then subjected to assessment by the Structured Interview, Jenkins Activity Survey, Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, Grant's Urban-Rural Scale" the Social Readjustment Rating Scale and a Health Scale to test the hypothesis that basic differences, regarding cardiovascular diseases, existed among people who differ in respect of personality type, social readjustment, the experiencing of anxiety and changing lifestyle due to urbanization and dietary patterns. A prior validation procedure for the assessment devices indicated that the tests demonstrated adequate construct validity and factorial validity. After examining the data of the four groups of patients obtained from the scales, the results were statistically analysed.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Radiography)-Dept. of Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2008. xxi, 146 leaves, Appendices A-S / The main aim of this study, was to assess the prevalence of coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic risk and non risk individuals in the South African Indian population, within the age group of 20-70 years.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master's Degree in technology: Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / The main aim of this study, was to assess the prevalence of coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic risk and non risk individuals in the South African Indian population, within the age group of 20-70 years. / M

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of increasing coronary heart diseases (CHD) among the Indian population in Chatsworth, Kwa Zulu-Natal. A quantitative, descriptive survey was conducted using non-probability purposive sampling. Respondents were sampled from four medical wards at the RK Khan Hospital. The results of this study indicate that the Indian population is at risk for the development of CHD. Although the increasing rate could not be attributed to a single risk factor, 72% of the respondents had a familial history of CHD and 52% had both parents at risk of CHD. Implementation of the primary prevention programmes recommended by the American Heart Association might reduce the prevalence among the Indian population. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of increasing coronary heart diseases (CHD) among the Indian population in Chatsworth, Kwa Zulu-Natal. A quantitative, descriptive survey was conducted using non-probability purposive sampling. Respondents were sampled from four medical wards at the RK Khan Hospital. The results of this study indicate that the Indian population is at risk for the development of CHD. Although the increasing rate could not be attributed to a single risk factor, 72% of the respondents had a familial history of CHD and 52% had both parents at risk of CHD. Implementation of the primary prevention programmes recommended by the American Heart Association might reduce the prevalence among the Indian population. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)