Aims: To determine the relationships between different sense of coherence levels and quality of life, and in older female myocardial infarction survivors; to investigate how socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, sense of coherence self-reported symptoms and function affect quality of life; and to determine whether sense of coherence and quality of life are stable during a six-month follow-up.

Background: Myocardinal infraction confers new physical and mental challenges. However, research on sense of coherence and other factors involved in maintaining physical, psychosocial and environmental aspects of quality of life in older female myocardinal infraction survivors is scant.

Design: Survey.

Methods: A postal survey was conducted of 145 women, aged 62-80 years, three months to five years after myocardial infarction (T1), with a follow-up after six months (T2). Self-reported socio-demographic and clinical data and hospital medical records data were collected. The sense of coherence scale (SOC-29) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Abbreviated (WHOQOL-BREF) were used.

Results: We found a significant difference in quality of life between weak, moderate, and strong sense of coherence groups (p < 0 center dot 001). Sense of coherence contributed to the level of all quality of life domains (p < 0 center dot 001). Several clinical characteristics contributed to quality of life: (1) physical domain: comorbidities (p < 0 center dot 001), previous myocardial infarction (p = 0 center dot 013), ejection fraction (p < 0 center dot 011), length of hospital stay (p = 0 center dot 005) symptoms and function (p < 0 center dot 001); (2) psychological domain: previous myocardial infarction (p = 0 center dot 031) and symptoms and function (p < 0 center dot 001); and (3) environmental domain: education (p = 0 center dot 033) and symptoms and function (p = 0 center dot 003). On group level, both sense of coherence and quality of life were stable. Experiencing specific health changes (p < 0 center dot 001), not major life events, influenced quality of life during the six-month follow-up.

Conclusion: Sense of coherence was an important stable determinant of quality of life domains in female myocardial infarction survivors. Although other factors were identified, further research is needed to elucidate additional determinants of quality of life.

Relevance to clinical practice: These specific factors could guide clinicians in making treatment decisions that optimize the quality of life of their patients. Applying a salutogenic perspective through patient education may be important.