Perceived barriers to smoking cessation in patients with myocardial infarction: a systematic review

Lovatt, Saul; Chowdury, Nabeel; Mallen, Christian; Cooke, Alison

Abstract

Myocardial infarction is a major cause of mortality and morbidity, with smoking being a major risk factor. However, a large proportion of patients continue to smoke following a myocardial infarction, suggesting that there are significant barriers to smoking cessation. This review aimed to understand the perceived barriers to, and facilitators of, smoking cessation among patients who have experienced a myocardial infarction and the health professionals involved in their care. A search of six electronic databases was conducted in April 2023: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for mixed-methods systematic reviews, using the convergent integrated approach. Quantitative data were added to qualitative data and synthesised. Fifteen studies were included in the review (13 qualitative, one mixed-methods and one quantitative). Five key themes were identified: motivation for change; smoking as an identity; support; impact of health professionals; and lack of knowledge of smoking cessation interventions. These findings were used to present recommendations for health professionals and policymakers to provide more effective support for patients to quit smoking following myocardial infarction.

Citation

Lovatt, S., Chowdury, N., Mallen, C., & Cooke, A. (2025). Perceived barriers to smoking cessation in patients with myocardial infarction: a systematic review. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 20(3), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjca.2024.0028

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Sep 19, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 19, 2025
• Publication Date: Mar 2, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 30, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 30, 2025
• Journal: British Journal of Cardiac Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1749-6403
• Publisher: Mark Allen Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 1-16
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjca.2024.0028
• Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome, Barriers, Facilitators, Myocardial infarction, smoking cessation
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1112730