Psychological Health in Cardiac Patients

Beyond the physical burdens, cardiac patients experience high rates of anxiety, depression and cognitive decline. Despite the substantial negative impacts of these psychological symptoms on quality of life and clinical outcomes, there is relatively little research in this area, including in the development of psychological interventions. Over the last decade we have run multiple studies – assessing psychological outcomes of cardiac patients and testing psychological interventions – in transcatheter aortic valve implantation, coronary artery bypass grafting and implantable cardioverter defibrillator groups. We are also working on including psychological outcomes in cardiac clinical guidelines.

Key CAIN Lab members involved: Erica Ghezzi and Prof Hannah Keage