Individuals' experiences of care partner involvement in heart disease management: A pilot study

Heart disease impacts both those diagnosed and their families, often due to lifestyle modifications that can alter family dynamics. While existing literature focuses on men and married individuals, understanding care partner involvement for both men and women independent of marital status is important, given gender disparities in heart disease experiences, caregiving roles, and widowhood rates. We explored differences in characteristics of men and women with heart disease, with and without a care partner. Additionally, we explored experiences of care partner involvement beyond spousal relationships. We further examined gender differences in these experiences.

Cross-sectional Prolific survey pilot data of persons with heart disease (N = 186) were analyzed. We used χ2, Mann-Whitney U, and t tests to test participant characteristic differences by care partner status and care partner involvement differences by gender.

Over half of the participants reported having a care partner. Those with a care partner were more likely to be married, and more likely to have participated in cardiac rehabilitation, with their participation occurring, on average, 2 years more recently than those without a care partner. Most primary care partners were spouses and female. Care partners were most often reported to be involved in helping maintain a healthy diet.

Care partner involvement is prevalent among persons with heart disease, with some gender differences in these experiences. Future research should explore how to best integrate care partners into disease management to benefit both persons with heart disease and their care partners. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).