Heart disease and mental health

This is the accepted manuscript version of a published work that appeared in final form in the British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, copyright (c) MA Healthcare, after technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjca.2017.12.10.473. Originally published October 2017. A recent survey by the British Heart Foundation suggests that 51% of people with heart disease suffer from depression, and 77% from anxiety (British Heart Foundation, 2017). There are many factors that account for this finding. Heart disease restricts normal activities, and reduces quality of life. Individuals report a feeling of physical failure, and may be anxious about future health or premature death. These fears may be compounded by loss of role or social status, and reduced income. Addressing these issues is an important way of improving the lives of people with heart disease.