Anxiety in individuals with cardiovascular diseases: A narrative review and expert opinion

Abstract

Anxiety is a commonly prevalent mental problem in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but its significance and clinical management have been neglected until recently. Similar to depression, anxiety has been demonstrated to be prevalent and hinging the quality of life and optimal outcome of patients with CVD. Although research evidence is still limited, clinical management for depression may be adopted for the care of anxiety in patients with CVD. Special attention needs to be paid when diagnosing anxiety disorder in patients with CVD because the fear may be a normal reaction of these patients and anxiety may manifest somatically.

Keywords

• anxiety
• cardiovascular diseases
• mindfulness cognitive behavior therapy
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors