| The experience of living with a heart condition and its impact on the patient and family |
New roles and responsibilities
Requires patient and family to adapt to change:
- Changes in what the patient can do, patient independence and autonomy within the family
- Changed life circumstances (e.g., employment, financial circumstances, attending medical appointments)
Coping with physical and emotional ups and downs
Lifestyle changes (e.g., smoking cessation, diet, exercise)
Family relationship issues |
Group discussion:
For example, use the following to introduce the discussion:
“Name one thing that has changed for you and your family since you experienced a heart problem and how have you reacted to this change?” |
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Adjustment, grief and coping with change
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Describe and normalise the experience of adjustment and grief
Strategies to deal with change and adjustment
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Group discussion |
| Depression, stress, anger and anxiety, as they relate to a cardiac condition |
Describe symptoms of depression and anxiety
Describe the stress response
Explain relationships between these and this new cardiac condition
Importance of managing these problems – including improving heart health, self-management of illness, involvement in activities and relationships, quality of life |
See book on Taking care of yourself and your family
Coronary heart disease, anxiety and depression
Coping with stress. How to manage stress and help your heart
Beating the Cardiac Blues Project (Resources for patients and clinicians) |
| Importance of support, reducing social isolation |
Identify social isolation as a risk factor for heart disease
Describe the benefits of support
Identify sources of support – family, friends, health professionals, cardiac rehabilitation, support groups, interests/hobby groups
Building a strong support system – identify supports, how they can help, planning support
Communicating with health professionals |
Group discussion |
| Managing stress, anxiety, anger and depression |
Maintaining healthy lifestyle – good diet, exercise, sleep pattern
Relaxation
Support
Problem solving
Engaging in helpful, constructive thinking
Cultivating a positive approach to life
Engaging in enjoyable and meaningful activities
Helping others
Medication |
See book on Taking care of yourself and your family
See section on ‘Dealing with stress, worry, and anxiety’ in An everyday guide to living with heart failure
NB: The advice applies not only to HF, but to heart disease in general
See sections on depression, social isolation and lack of social support in My heart, my life (National Heart Foundation of Australia manual for patients with coronary heart disease) |
| Managing relationships |
Roles and relationships can change following onset of cardiac condition
The impact of anxiety on the patient and family
Managing anxiety – allowing the patient to get on with life
Assessing needs and expectations
The importance of good communication, mutual support, problem-solving approach to deal with current circumstances |
Group discussion
See section on ‘Managing the changing relationships’ in An everyday guide to living with heart failure
NB: The advice applies not only to HF, but to heart disease in general
See www.heartfailurematters.org section on ‘Talking to your family about heart failure’
NB: Although this information primarily focuses on HF, it is , however, relevant to all cardiac patients and their families |
| Working towards recovery |
The health condition and what to do about it
Taking personal responsibility and working with your health care team
Attending cardiac rehabilitation
Making lifestyle changes
Addressing barriers to self-care (accepting what has happened, motivation, depression)
Strategies to maintain good self-care (motivation and cycle of change)
Setting goals
Getting support
Problem solving
Prioritise health |
Group discussion |
| Accessing help for psychological difficulties |
Discuss with GP, rehab team or other medical team
Professional websites |
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Pathophysiology
