RESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of patients [related to smoking], following first myocardial infarction, to determine attitude and health beliefs for smokers and ex-smokers, as well as to identify the ex-smokers' responses related to persons that trigger their attitudes toward quitting of smoking. This study was conducted in the Outpatients Clinic of Cardiology Department, Main University Hospital. The selected subjects had the first myocardial infarction 6 months ago. The results of the study confirmed significant attitude differences between those individuals who stop and those who continue to smoke. The most significant persons that trigger the attitude of myocardial infarction patients toward quitting of smoking were physicians and family. The least significant persons were patients with the same disease. It was recommended to motivate smokers who suffer from coronary heart disease to modify their behavior through changing their health beliefs and encouraging a positive attitude for cessation of smoking. This can be achieved through smoking committees presented by medical and nursing staff, and by encouraging anti-smoking measures as substitute for cigarettes