This article was originally written by Stephen Beech for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.
In some instances, a deep emotional loss — like the death of a loved one — can result in a temporary condition called broken heart syndrome. Now, there’s more evidence to suggest that the opposite may also be true: Strong and supportive relationships can help improve heart health for people with cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and there is increasing recognition that recovery is not just physical but emotional and social as well. A review of 12 trials involving adults with heart disease and their partners evaluated the effectiveness of couples-based interventions in four areas: modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac well-being, mental health, and relationship quality.
It found that 77% of the analyzed studies reported health behavior improvements in patients — i.e., sticking to exercise programs, taking required medications regularly, and quitting smoking. Results in the other categories were either mixed, inconsistent, or statistically insignificant.
“Sometimes heart disease brings couples closer together, but often it’s a challenge for the relationship and both people in it,” corresponding author Heather E. Tulloch said in a news release. “We’ve learned over the years that cardiac events do not only happen to the patient, but to the couple.”
While most cardiac care involves only the patient themself, couples-based programs like the ones reviewed include partners in the process of implementing lifestyle changes. This approach recognizes that loved ones are often key in aiding recovery, helping out by cooking healthy meals, encouraging exercise, and reminding their partners to take their meds, for example.
These boons are leading more hospitals and health care systems to emphasize family-oriented care, according to the news release. And such programs may have the added benefit of helping partners improve their own heart health.
“Interventions that include the partner as an active participant and meaningfully address what’s happening in patients’ relationships ought to be developed and tested, with the aim of helping couples better cope with heart disease by enhancing their mental and physical health and the health of their relationship,” said Tulloch.
She and her colleagues are proposing that a “stepped care” model be used in cardiac rehab, providing a pathway for more systematic screening and referrals to appropriate services that can help couples deal with distress.
The research team believes it would behoove the public for future studies to focus more on emotional and relational factors in improving both partners’ recovery and well-being. They also suggest more diverse populations be involved in research.
“We need to treat the heart and nurture relationships to enhance health behaviors, mental health and, possibly, cardiovascular outcomes among those with heart disease,” Tulloch emphasized. “This could lead to stronger emotional and social adjustment during patients’ recovery and ultimately to better health behaviors.”
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