A psychologist can help patients who have had a heart attack by educating them about treatment compliance, healthy behaviors, and stress management while they are most receptive during hospitalization. They establish communication between the patient and family and conduct follow-ups to assess coping with recovery. Stress management techniques include exercise, relaxation, addressing difficult emotions, and developing adaptive thinking patterns.

1. PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF HEART ATTACK
Heart attack can affect psychological well-being as well as
physical health. After a heart attack, many people feel depressed,
for example. Others feel anxious, worrying that they will have
another heart attack.

2. HOW A PSYCHOLOGIST CAN HELP
Educating patients on treatment
compliance and healthy behaviors
when they are most open to advice.
immediately after they are
hospitalized.

3. ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE
PATIENT AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

4. CONDUCTING FOLLOW-UP
ASSESSMENTS TO DETERMINE HOW
WELL THE PATIENT AND FAMILY ARE
COPING WITH RECOVERY.

5. EXERCISE
Exercising 30 minutes a day five
days a week will improve
your heart health and help reduce
your risk of heart disease

6. STRESS MANAGEMENT
Recognizing social risk factors and behaviors that
contribute to heart disease
Understanding psychological risk factors that contribute to
heart disease
Recognizing social risk factors and behaviors that
contribute to heart disease
Managing stress at home and at work
Developing relaxation skills and bringing more mindful
awareness into one’s life
Dealing with difficult emotions such as hostility,
depression, anxiety, worry
Addressing loneliness and isolation and ways to
reconnect with people
Developing adaptive thinking patterns

7. SOME TIPS FOR REDUCING STRESS THAT
CAN HAVE THE ADDED BENEFIT OF
IMPROVING YOUR HEART HEALTH
•Practice yoga.
•Give thanks.
•Meditate or pray.
•Breathe deep.
•Listen to music.
•Go for a hike.

8. ANXIETY REDUCTION TIPS
Tip 1 – Understand that anxiety is not your fault
TIP 2 – Understand your subconscious power
TIP 3 – Discover a positive self-concept
TIP 4 – Learn to love and parent yourself
TIP 5 – Start caring for yourself

9. SOME TIPS FOR REDUCING STRESS THAT
CAN HAVE THE ADDED BENEFIT OF
IMPROVING YOUR HEART HEALTH
•Practice yoga.
•Give thanks.
•Meditate or pray.
•Breathe deep.
•Listen to music.
•Go for a hike.