Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 24, 2025

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
04:24

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

12.1K

An attachment-based intervention for patients with cardiovascular disease and their partners: A proof-of-concept

Heather Tulloch1, Susan Johnson2, Natasha Demidenko1

  • 1Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation.

Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association
|December 21, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The Healing Hearts Together (HHT) intervention improved relationship quality, mental health, and quality of life for couples coping with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This attachment-based program showed significant benefits for both patients and partners.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychology
  • Relationship Science

Background:

  • Couple distress is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
  • Relationship support is associated with heart-healthy behaviors and better CVD outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical benefits of the Healing Hearts Together (HHT) intervention.
  • The HHT intervention is an attachment-based program designed to enhance relationship quality, mental health, and quality of life (QoL) for couples where one partner has CVD.

Main Methods:

  • A total of 78 participants (39 couples) from a tertiary cardiac care center attended an 8-session HHT group.
  • Validated self-report questionnaires (DAS, CSI, HADS, SF-36) were administered pre- and post-intervention.
  • Analysis of variance and paired-sample t tests were used to assess changes in relationship quality, mental health, and QoL.

Main Results:

  • Participants reported significant improvements in relationship distress (Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Couple Satisfaction Index) and depression.
  • Statistically significant reductions in anxiety and improvements in physical and mental quality of life were observed.
  • Patients showed significant improvements in QoL-mental component summary, while partners showed significant changes in anxiety.

Conclusions:

  • The HHT intervention demonstrated significant benefits for both patients with CVD and their partners regarding relationship quality, mental health, and QoL.
  • Further research through a larger randomized controlled trial is recommended to validate these findings.

More Related Videos

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function10:28

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

5.6K
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty07:27

Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

Published on: October 6, 2016

10.5K

Related Concept Videos

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:27

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
119
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
129
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
479
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
98
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
127
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.
112