Psychological and behavioral contributions to rehabilitation and recovery in heart disease

Abstract

From time immemorial, the mind and the body have been closely linked, and research continues to show a high association of depression and anxiety with heart disease. Depression is a risk factor for heart disease as well as risk for poor recovery after a cardiac event. The Whole Person Model described here integrates thinking about thoughts, emotions, bodily symptoms, and health behaviors, and can form the foundation of a powerful rehabilitation or disease management program. For real functional recovery to occur, patients need to take control of their lives, and for this to occur considerable behavioral change is often required. Integrating psychological care with physical health care will facilitate this.