Introduction
Cardiac events, such as heart attacks and strokes, can be life-changing experiences for individuals and their families. Along with the physical recovery process, individuals need to receive counseling to address the emotional and psychological impact of the event. Post-cardiac event counseling can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of the event, such as anxiety, depression, and fear. It can help people make changes to their lifestyle, such as eating healthier and being more physically active, to lower the chance of future heart problems.
Counseling can be provided by various healthcare professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, and counselors. They may use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction, to help individuals cope with their emotions and develop a plan for making lifestyle changes.
What Are the Common Events After Cardiac Surgery?
Anxiety and depression are common following a cardiac event such as a heart attack or bypass surgery, as shown in a recent Australian study involving over 900 patients. The study revealed that 40 percent of patients had elevated anxiety levels, and 20 percent had symptoms of depression in the weeks immediately after hospital discharge. These rates are much higher than typical population rates. Furthermore, the study found that even a year after the event, one in four patients had significant anxiety, and one in five was depressed. This highlights that the emotional toll of the cardiac event persists long after physical recovery.
It is worrying that patients who experience anxiety or depression for the first time during their recovery period may not receive adequate support and services and struggle to involve their family and friends in their care. Post-event anxiety and depression can be fatal as they are associated with a higher risk of another cardiac event and premature death. They also negatively affect the quality of life and can lead to other social difficulties, such as job loss and relationship challenges.
Who Are at Risk?
Multiple elements, such as social and demographic characteristics, habits, and medical conditions, can elevate the possibility of developing mental health issues following a cardiac incident. These factors include prior mental health issues, financial strain, lower socioeconomic status, being younger, poor physical health, social isolation, recent bereavement, and cigarette smoking. These risk factors can be used to identify individuals who are more likely to experience persistent or complicated mental health concerns that require professional support.
How Can Counseling Help?
Cardiology counseling aims to support, enhance, and sustain the well-being of patients who have undergone a cardiac event. The primary objective of the intervention is to enhance the patient's quality of life and the various factors that affect it. It is clear that a cardiac event's onset, duration, and aftermath can result in decreased quality of life, including depression, anxiety, stress, social isolation, and work-related issues. Health psychology interventions may use various techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychological models like the stage of change to improve quality of life.
What Are the Issues That Psychological Treatment Addresses?
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Anger.
- Fear.
- Communication.
- Stress.
- Lack of social support.
- Isolation.
- Coping strategies.
- Adherence to a new lifestyle; such as
- Exercise
- Smoking cessation
- Healthy eating
- Weight loss
What Are the Different Types of Counseling?
The following are the therapies included in post-cardiac counseling:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of counseling that can be beneficial for individuals who are going through emotional difficulties after a cardiac event. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented therapy that identifies and changes negative thoughts and behaviors that may be causing the individual's distress.
In cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions, the therapist will collaborate with the patient to recognize and challenge negative thoughts and perceptions associated with the cardiac event, such as "I am going to have another cardiac event" or "I will never be able to do things I used to do before the cardiac event’’. Together, the therapist and the patient will evaluate the evidence for and against these thoughts and beliefs and develop more realistic and balanced thoughts. The therapist will also assist the patient in developing coping strategies and problem-solving skills to deal with challenging situations and emotions.
CBT can also assist patients in changing behaviors that may be contributing to emotional distress, such as avoiding physical activity or social situations. The therapist will work with the patient to identify these behaviors and develop a plan to gradually and safely increase exposure to these situations.
Research has demonstrated that CBT is effective for individuals experiencing emotional distress following a cardiac event. Studies have found that CBT can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals who have experienced a cardiac event.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)-This therapy can be beneficial for individuals experiencing emotional distress following a cardiac event. MBSR is an eight-week program that combines mindfulness meditation and yoga to help individuals develop awareness and acceptance of their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.
During MBSR sessions, individuals will learn mindfulness meditation practices such as body scan, sitting meditation, and yoga. These practices help individuals to focus on the present moment and become aware of their thoughts and emotions without judgment. This can help individuals develop a sense of perspective and distance from their thoughts, reducing the intensity of their emotional distress.
MBSR also includes group discussions and home practice assignments, which allow individuals to share their experiences and receive support from others.
This can help individuals feel less isolated and more connected to others with similar experiences.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy- EMDR is a form of trauma-focused therapy that can help individuals process and integrate traumatic memories related to a cardiac event.
EMDR therapy involves recalling the traumatic event while simultaneously receiving a type of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or sounds. This stimulation is thought to help the individual process the traumatic memories in a more adaptive way. The therapist will guide the individual through the process and help them to develop new perspectives and coping strategies related to the traumatic event.
EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders. EMDR therapy is usually performed in a one-to-one setting and typically lasts several sessions. The therapist will work with the individual to identify the traumatic memories of the cardiac event and develop a treatment plan. EMDR therapy can be emotionally intense, but many people find it helpful in resolving trauma-related symptoms and improving their overall emotional well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, post-cardiac event counseling is essential for individuals who have experienced a cardiac event to address the emotional and psychological impact of the event. The emotional toll of the cardiac event can persist long after physical recovery and lead to an increased risk of another cardiac event and premature death. Various factors, such as previous mental health issues, financial strain, and social isolation, can increase the risk of mental health problems after a cardiac event. Cardiology counseling aims to improve the patient's quality of life and support them in making lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of future cardiac events. The therapy includes various techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and eye movement desensitization therapy.
