Heart and brain functions are deeply connected, acting as vital control centers for the body. When one fails, the other often struggles. Many people recovering from a cardiac event experience emotional challenges, including anxiety and depression, as part of their healing journey.
At Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, mental health is now a formal part of cardiac rehabilitation. The program includes counseling sessions designed to help patients manage emotions that arise after a heart attack or related event.
“After a cardiac event, patients face rapid life changes that can trigger fear, sadness, or anxiety,” explained Adam Hedelund, a doctoral candidate at Kansas State University and a fellow at Stormont Vail Behavioral Health. “Some may think, ‘I almost died. What if it happens again?’ That worry can become overwhelming if not addressed.”
Understanding Emotional Responses
Hedelund works with the hospital’s cardiac rehab team to integrate dedicated mental health sessions into their recovery plans. He said one of the first goals is to help patients understand that their emotional reactions are normal.
“Much of the anxiety comes from fear and the loss of control,” he said. “Thoughts like ‘What if this happens again?’ or ‘How will I cope?’ often keep looping in their minds, which can be mentally draining.”
Once that awareness is built, patients learn practical ways to handle those feelings. Strategies include communicating openly with others, practicing breathing exercises, and adopting balanced nutrition that supports overall well-being.
Building A Complete Recovery
Hedelund emphasized that addressing mental health alongside physical recovery leads to fuller, more sustainable healing.
“Managing psychological stress after a cardiac event improves not just mood and relationships, but also long-term belief in one’s ability to recover,” he noted. “When both body and mind are cared for, patients see a higher quality of life.”
He added that family members also play a key role in this process. Understanding the emotional toll of recovery allows them to provide meaningful support and encouragement.
By merging traditional cardiac rehabilitation with mental health rehab principles, programs like Stormont Vail’s are helping patients rebuild their lives more completely—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
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