General anxiety, depression, and physical health in relation to symptoms of heart-focused anxiety-a cross sectional study among patients living with the risk of serious arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death
Objective
To investigate the role of three distinct symptoms of heart-focused anxiety (cardio-protective avoidance, heart-focused attention, and fear about heart sensations) in relation to general anxiety, depression and physical health in patients referred to specialized cardio-genetics outpatient clinics in Norway for genetic investigation and counseling.
Since Long QT syndrome and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are inherited cardiac disorders that may cause syncope, palpitations, serious arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, at-risk individuals may experience heart-focused anxiety. In a prospective multi-site study, 126 Norwegian patients attending genetic counseling were followed 1 year with multiple administration of questionnaires, including the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire, measuring three distinct symptoms of heart-focused anxiety- avoidance...
Last. Berit Rokne(University of Bergen)H-Index: 18
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Background Recently, there has been substantial improvement in coronary care and a corresponding reduction in mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Some studies suggest that improved prognosis has led to reduced levels of anxiety and depression after AMI, in both the short and long term. The aims of this study were to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression from the acute event to 18 months following AMI, and to compare results with levels in the Norwegian reference population.Des...
Aims To investigate the outcome of cardiac evaluation and the risk stratification for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) mutation carriers. Methods and results Seventy-six HCM mutation carriers from 32 families identified by predictive DNA testing underwent cardiac evaluation including history, examination, electrocardiography, Doppler echocardiography, exercise testing, and 24 h Holter monitoring. The published diagnostic criteria for HCM in adult membe...
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common hereditary heart disease associated with heart failure and sudden death. Quality of life and psychological distress were found to be impaired in HCM patients but have never been assessed in mutation carriers, with or without manifest HCM. We aimed to assess quality of life and psychological distress, using standardized questionnaires, and to identify sociodemographic, clinical, risk and illness perception related predictors thereof in 228 HCM mutatio...
Many studies have shown that cardiac anxiety when occurring in the absence of coronary artery disease is common and quite costly. The Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) is an 18 item self-report measure that assesses anxiety related to cardiac symptoms. In order to better understand the construct of cardiac anxiety, a factor analysis was conducted on CAQ data from 658 individuals who were self- or physician- referred for electron beam tomographic screening to determine whether clinically signif...
Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a hereditary cardiac disease characterized by a prolongation of the QT interval at basal ECG and by a high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. Disease prevalence is estimated at close to 1 in 2,500 live births.
Background Since 1996, in the Netherlands, cardiac and molecular screening has been performed in families with the long QT syndrome, a potentially life-threatening but treatable cardiac arrhythmia syndrome. The psychological consequences of predictive cardiac and molecular screening in these families are relatively unknown. Objective A psychological study was initiated to investigate the extent and course of distress caused by this new form of predictive genetic testing. Methods We carried out a...
Objective: We investigated the degree and course of heartfocused anxiety (HFA) in patients with cardiac diseases before and after cardiac surgery. Methods: We examined 90 patients undergoing coronary bypass, valve replacement, or combined surgery before surgery, 6 weeks after surgery, and 6 months after surgery. Patients completed the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), which assesses heart-focused fear, attention, and avoidance, and a set of other questionnaires assessing general anxiety, depr...
In 1958, the British forensic pathologist, Donald Teare, reported a family in which eight young people had died suddenly from asymmetrical hypertrophy of the left ventricle. Five decades on, the prevention of premature death from ventricular tachyarrhythmia, heart failure and stroke remains a major aim of clinical management in what is now called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In this paper, we review the underlying mechanisms of death and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of current internatio...
Summary: A theoretical psychological perspective on predictive testing for late onset hereditary diseases: Because of the burden of serious late onset hereditary diseases, psychological counselling is commonly included in the predictive testing procedure. We discuss the components of psychological counselling in the context of neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease, some hereditary cancers and some hereditary heart diseases. Psychological counselling should be tailored to the s...
ABSTRACT null null Background null Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are an effective treatment in some patients with inherited heart disease, including inherited channelopathies, yet they have also been shown to impact patients’ psychological health. null null null Objective null We sought to improve understanding of the level of anxiety and depression as well as device acceptance among inherited channelopathy patients with an ICD. null null null Methods null Eligible patients seen...
#2Liza Morton(Glas.: University of Glasgow)H-Index: 3
Last. Adrienne H. Kovacs(OHSU: Oregon Health & Science University)H-Index: 13
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PURPOSE OF REVIEW Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) may experience anxiety specifically related to their medical condition. This review introduces the concepts of health anxiety and heart-focused anxiety, summarizes what is currently known about heart-focused anxiety among adults with CHD and offers suggestions to help adult CHD providers address heart-focused anxiety in their patients. RECENT FINDINGS Although minimal research has been conducted specific to this outcome, health anxiety...
Last. Julia Karbach(University of Koblenz and Landau)H-Index: 24
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Abstract Background It has been shown that heart-focused anxiety raises the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with heart disease. Yet, there is a lack of studies investigating this association. We aim at identifying predictors of heart-focused anxiety in patients with stable heart failure to facilitate the identification of individuals with increased risk for adverse outcomes. Methods We assessed heart-focused anxiety and a set of psychological, demographic/lifestyle, and medical/laboratory v...
Little is known about the psychological experiences of individuals being investigated for cardiac inherited diseases (CID). This study aimed to assess the prevalence, trajectory and associated vari...
Although rare, sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young is a tragic event, having a dramatic impact upon all involved. The psychosocial burden associated with SCD can leave friends, families, and entire communities bereft. With only limited evidence to describe the volatile emotional reactions associated with a young SCD, there is an urgent need for care providers to better understand the psychological complexities and impacts faced by both at-risk individuals and those directly affected by these...
At least one-third of adults living with an inherited cardiac condition report clinically-significant levels of psychological distress. Poorer health-related quality of life compared with population norms is also consistently reported. These outcomes are associated with younger patient age, having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and receipt of uncertain clinical test results, and can influence self-management behaviours, such as adherence to potentially critical life-preserving medica...
Objective This study explored the relationship of illness perception with different aspects of cardiac anxiety, general anxiety and depression in a sample of male and female overweight and obese patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Background: The small number of published studies indicate increased rates of anxiety and depression among patients with cardiac inherited diseases (CID). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in a New Zealand CID cohort and seek any associations with clinical and psychosocial factors.Method: Patients on a national CID register were sent a survey; 202 of 563 contactable patients participated (36% response rate). Ages ranged from 16 to 83 years (median 53). Most had ...