Psycho-social aspects of recovery from coronary heart disease: A review

Abstract

The literature dealing with the psychological and social aspects of recovery from and rehabilitation to the acute onset of coronary heart disease (CHD) was reviewed. The papers published since an earlier review were placed into one of three categories: advocacy articles, generally describing psychological reactions of patients and advocating a particular treatment; clinical papers, dealing with impressionistic observations of the emotional state of patients and their spouses; empirical reports, exploring various scientific issues regarding social-psychological functioning. Research quality and quantity have increased greatly in the past eight years. There is little question that CHD results in the temporary disruption of normal psychological and social functioning. Long-lasting emotional distress, familial problems, and occupational maladjustment are observed in a significant minority of patients. Psychosocial counseling appears to facilitate and hasten rehabilitation. However, additional programmatic evaluation studies are required in order to assess which psycho-therapeutic procedures are essential and should be a routine part of treatment of acute CHD patients and their families.