Multidimensional psychosocial screening in routine cardiac care: preliminary findings from a cross-sectional survey

Psychological distress is common among patients with cardiovascular disease. While European Society of Cardiology (ESC) position papers highlight the relevance of mental health in cardiology care, psychosocial assessment remains inconsistently implemented in routine clinical practice.

In this preliminary cross-sectional survey, patients attending a tertiary cardiology department completed an anonymous multidimensional psychosocial screening during routine care. Standardized instruments assessed depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety (GAD-7), heart-focused anxiety (HAF-17), sleep disturbances (Jenkins Sleep Scale), resilient coping (BRCS), loneliness (UCLA-3), life satisfaction, perceived stress, social support, medication adherence, and awareness of psychocardiology services.

A total of 62 patients were included. Overall levels of depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms were low (PHQ‑9 5.0 ± 4.7; GAD‑7 3.5 ± 4.4), while heart-focused anxiety was more pronounced (HAF-17 21.1 ± 10.6). Perceived stress was reported by 52.1% of participants (43.8% mild, 8.3% severe), and sleep disturbances were frequent (JSS 6.5 ± 5.5). Heart-focused anxiety showed consistent associations with general anxiety, depressive symptoms, stress, and sleep problems (all p < 0.05), but was not related to life satisfaction (p = 0.99). Life satisfaction correlated more strongly with general emotional well-being than with cardiac-specific fears. Despite limited prior awareness of psychocardiology services (7.0% aware), a substantial proportion of patients reported interest in receiving psychosocial support in a cardiology setting (8.8% yes and 47.4% maybe).

Psychosocial burden in cardiology patients may extend beyond depression and generalized anxiety. Cardiac-specific fears, stress, and sleep disturbances are prominent but frequently underrecognized domains that may be overlooked by unidimensional screening approaches. A significant proportion of patients were unaware of existing psychocardiology services, suggesting a gap between recommended mental health integration and routine cardiology care. Multidimensional screening may facilitate more targeted identification of patients who could benefit from integrated psychocardiological care.