Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Workflow and Framework for Collecting and Implementing Point-of-Care Ultrasound Data in the Management of Heart Failure Patients
03:47

Workflow and Framework for Collecting and Implementing Point-of-Care Ultrasound Data in the Management of Heart Failure Patients

Published on: July 12, 2024

Depression and coping in heart failure patients: a review of the literature

Eric Allman1, Diane Berry, Laura Nasir

  • 1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.

The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|February 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Heart failure patients using adaptive coping strategies like acceptance and planning report less depression. Maladaptive coping, such as denial, is linked to higher depression levels in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Health Psychology

Background:

  • Depression is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure.
  • Coping mechanisms play a significant role in the psychological well-being of patients with chronic illnesses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the evidence on depression and coping in heart failure patients.
  • To identify if specific coping strategies are more prevalent in heart failure patients experiencing depression.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, covering studies from January 1996 to October 2008.
  • Key search terms included "congestive heart failure," "heart failure," "coping," and "depression."
  • Three independent reviewers analyzed and synthesized the findings from the selected studies.

Main Results:

  • Coping strategies are significantly associated with depression in heart failure patients.
  • Adaptive coping mechanisms (active coping, acceptance, planning) were more common and linked to lower depression levels.
  • Maladaptive coping strategies (denial, disengagement) were associated with higher levels of depression.

Conclusions:

  • The findings highlight a clear link between coping styles and depression severity in heart failure.
  • Further longitudinal research is warranted to explore the relationship between coping, depression, and heart failure.
  • Investigating optimal treatment strategies for managing coping and depression in this patient population is essential.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions01:30

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

Heart Failure I: Introduction

Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...