A new study suggests that strong, supportive relationships can improve heart health in people living with cardiovascular disease. The findings, published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology by Elsevier, highlight the role of emotional and social support in recovery. Researchers say cardiac rehabilitation should include intimate partners to improve long-term heart health and overall quality of life for couples.
An evaluation of couples-based interventions found that 77% of reviewed studies reported improvements in health behaviours, alongside benefits for cardiac and mental health outcomes. However, lead author Heather E. Tulloch noted gaps in existing research. “Considering the well-established literature highlighting that relationship quality impacts heart health, it is surprising that such a limited number of studies have targeted relationship quality in their interventions,” she said.
The study argues that heart disease affects both partners, not just patients. “We’ve learned over the years that cardiac events do not only happen to the patient, but to the couple,” Tulloch added. The authors call for stepped-care models and more diverse research to better address emotional distress, relationship quality, and shared recovery in cardiac rehabilitation.