The role of cardiac rehabilitation in influencing psychological outcomes

Anxiety and depression are common after acute cardiac events. They can have a major adverse impact upon outcomes, although past studies report conflicting results regarding the relationships between anxiety, depression and outcomes such as mortality. Depression has been shown to be associated with non‐adherence of patients. Cardiac rehabilitation programmes conducted during early convalescence provide a valuable opportunity to identify and support patients who experience anxiety and depression, and encourage adherence to advice. Clinical data support the positive effects upon patients' psychological outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation programmes offering group exercise, education and behavioural interventions. However, more rigorous research is required to confirm such benefits. Systematic screening of patients should be undertaken on entry to cardiac rehabilitation to identify high‐risk patients and to assist them.