Interventions to Enhance Early Recognition and Management of Mental Health Symptoms in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Rapid Scoping Review

Background: Poor mental health is a recognized risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes, yet depression, anxiety, and stress remain underdiagnosed and undertreated in individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Effective strategies to promote early recognition and management of these conditions are not well established. We conducted a rapid scoping review to identify interventions aimed at improving mental health recognition and management in adult CVD population without diagnosed mental health conditions. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Epistemonikos for articles published between January 1, 2014, and December 28, 2024. Results: Of 11,645 screened studies, 24 met inclusion criteria: 12 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Most focused on coronary artery disease or stroke patients. Interventions included mindfulness interventions (n = 9), routine screening (n = 2), interactive mHealth education (n = 2), psychosocial interventions (n = 4), caregiver education (n = 4), self-care (n = 1), and integrated care (n = 1). Interventions were multimodal pairing patient education with structured clinical encounters. Reporting of delivery methods was inconsistent and fewer than half assessed adherence. Only two RCTs involved patients in intervention design. Primary outcomes included changes in psychological distress symptoms and quality-of-life measures. Conclusion: A variety of interventions target early recognition and management of mental health symptoms in CVD patients. The approach of combining self-management with clinician check-ins aligns with contemporary models of integrated care. Standardized reporting and greater interest-holder engagement are needed to improve intervention development, implementation, and evaluation.