Psychoemotional features in patients with coronary heart disease: literature review

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common diseases and the most common cause of death worldwide. It is known that psychosocial factors have a definite effect on the development and course of CHD. In this regard, the study of the psychoemotional characteristics of patients with CHD and their psychological features seems to be extremely important for the development and improvement of preventive measures, as well as psychotherapeutic work with this group of patients. Aim: The article aims to analyze modern foreign studies for considering the psychoemotional factors and psychological characteristics inherent in patients with coronary artery disease, as well as their impact on the development, course, and outcome of the disease. Conclusion: The present work studies and summarizes the digest of scientific literature on the features of the psychoemotional sphere of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The information about the link between psychoemotional factors and CHD is presented. In particular, a review of the role of anxiety and depression in CHD is presented. It is noted that describing the psychoemotional characteristics of patients with CHD requires taking into account not only the likely symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders but such manifestations as hostility, fatigue, and stress. The present study shows that the role of traditional psychological factors in CHD is disputable and ambiguous. According to the results of the review, a comprehensive study of psychoemotional and personal characteristics in patients with cardiovascular pathology is essential to improve means for correcting psychological risk factors of CHD and its consequences, as well as for reducing their negative impact.