Features of adaptation to coronary heart disease associated with psychological rehabilitation: literature review

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of heart disease and considered to be one of the most urgent public health problems in advanced countries. Understanding psychological features of patients with coronary artery disease is essential for the development and improvement of psychological rehabilitation techniques. Correctly selected techniques improve life quality, reduce anxiety and stress, thus improving patients' physical condition. Aim. The paper aims to review and compare modern Russian and foreign literature on the psychological adaptation of CHD patients, including coping strategies, defense mechanisms, illness perception and rehabilitation techniques affecting patients' adaptation to the disease. Conclusion. According to foreign and domestic sources, various techniques are used to assess the psychological features of CHD patients, including coping strategies, defense mechanisms, illness perception, etc. Identifying these features is important for obtaining comprehensive information about patients' adaptation to the disease and improving rehabilitation techniques. An analysis of coping strategies shows that patients are more likely to use problem-solving strategies, regardless of the surgery performed. The most preferable defense mechanisms are intellectualization and denial. The internal picture of the disease, according to domestic sources, is characterized by anosognosic and ergopathic types. Illness perception, according to foreign sources, includes awareness of the diagnosis; concern about the course of the disease, about its further development and negative impact on life. The most effective psychological interventions are psychotherapy and group psychotherapeutic treatment. A characteristic decrease in anxiety, fear, and depression was revealed, as well as an improvement in the quality of life after psychological rehabilitation.