Cardiac Spouses

When we talk about heart disease, we mainly speak in terms of prevention, treatment and rehab for the patient.  This is in part because there is no medical structure in place to address the spousal issues.  Research shows  that outcomes of the cardiac patient are not only determined by their physical attributes, treatment, and their own outlook, but by the people around them and caring for them—specifically the spouse.

The recovery from a cardiac event often involves the whole family.  The well-being of the caregiver is as important to the patient’s outcome as everything else. Recovering from a heart attack or heart disease is not something that the patient does alone.  The family needs to recover as well, and often needs just as much support, if not more, than the patient does.

Key Point 1

The recovery from a cardiac event often involves the whole family. The well-being of the caregiver is as important to the patient’s outcome as anything else.

Key Point 2

Recovering from a heart attack or heart disease is not something that any patient does alone. The family needs to recover as well and often needs just as much support, if not more, than the patient does.

Webisode 

Full Episode

Conduct an off-site search for Cardiac Spouses from MedlinePlus.  These up-to-date search results are based on search terms specific to Second Opinion Key Points.

• Heart Attack
• Heart Diseases
• Heart Disease & Prevention
• Heart Failure
• Cardiac Rehabilitation

Resources

There are a very large number of organizations and websites dedicated to Cardiac Spouses. This is only a partial list.

American Heart Association:  Article:  “Coping with My Partner’s ICD and Cardiac Disease”

The American Psychosomatic Society:  Article:   “Role of Spousal Anxiety and Depression in Patients’ Psychosocial Recovery After a Cardiac Event”

WebMD:  Article:  “Spouses of Heart Attack Victims May Have Similar Risks”