It’s common to get the cardiac blues after a heart event or diagnosis. You might feel sad, tearful, angry, irritable, worried or anxious. You have been through a lot and it’s normal to experience these feelings and emotions at any point in your journey, even months or years down the track. These feelings often get better with time, and with support from family and friends.
If your feelings and emotions are not improving or are getting worse, it’s important that you reach out to someone in your healthcare team for help.
Living with a mental health condition can be challenging for someone with a heart condition due to the added stress and potential impact on their overall health. It can be helpful to speak to people who’ve been through a similar health journey, which is another good reason to join a cardiac rehab program or support group.
Depression is different from the temporary 'emotional roller-coaster' response to a stressful event.
It is when you feel down or miserable most of the time. It affects everything, including your normal activities.
Ask yourself: in the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by:
Would you say, 'not at all', 'several days', 'more than half the days' or 'nearly every day'?
If you answered either ‘more than half the days’ or ‘nearly every day’ to both these questions, seek help from your doctor or healthcare team as soon as possible.
Your GP is a great person to start a conversation with about your mental health. They might recommend you see a psychologist or start medicines. You can also get more information and support from Beyond Blue.
Healthy habits can also help improve your mental health as well as your heart health. Aim to do some regular physical activity, follow a heart-healthy eating pattern, and try to get enough sleep.
Why not get moving by joining Heart Foundation Walking? Get your very own Personal Walking Plan, which is the perfect support for those looking to either get started or get more out of being active.
Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. It often comes with strong physical symptoms, like a racing heart, feeling sick, or sweating, trembling or shaking. You might have bad or scary thoughts at the same time. Lots of people with anxiety stay home and avoid others. Unfortunately, this just makes things worse.
The good news is that there are lots of ways to treat anxiety, including medicines and counselling from a psychologist. Your doctor can help you to access these treatments.
When diagnosed with any condition, it's easy to feel alone. You may feel that the people around you will not understand how your diagnosis affects you physically and mentally. Talk it out. Being connected is important for your heart and your general health. It’s like building a team to support you through tough times.
A cardiac rehab program is another great option. As well as all the support and advice from healthcare professionals, you’ll get to connect with people who have had similar experiences.
You could also join a Heart Foundation Walking group. That way you’ll get company and exercise at the same time.
In this video, health psychologist Dr Rosemary Higgins from the Australian Centre for Heart Health talks about the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and what to do if you are experiencing them.
The MyHeart MyLife community is a safe online group moderated by the Heart Foundation where you can share your experience living with a heart condition, give and receive support and discover ways to lead a heart-healthy life with others who are on a similar recovery journey.
If your emotions are affecting your daily life, it is important that you seek professional assistance for guidance and support. You can do this by reaching out to any of the below support services.
Check in with your general practitioner (GP) and healthcare team to seek help in managing your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Call Lifeline (13 11 14) for confidential crisis support via phone, text, or online chat.
Call 13YARN (13 92 76) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support.
To access the Cardiac Counselling Clinic of the Australian Centre for Heart Health, phone 03 9326 8544 or register yourself at australianhearthealth.org.au.
Call Head to Health on 1800 595 212 for confidential mental health advice and support. (Please note that Head to Health is not a crisis or emergency service. For urgent support, call Lifeline or Triple Zero [000]). Visit the Head to Health website for mental health information, services and support. No appointment or GP referral is required.
Access online resources focusing on social, emotional and cultural wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on WellMob.
Get mental health support from Beyond Blue by talking or chatting online to a counsellor or by accessing free sessions with a mental health coach. You can also call them on 1300 22 4636 for more information about mental health, treatment and management or to find a mental health practitioner in your area.
Other rural mental health services are listed in this help sheet from the National Rural Health Alliance.
Last updated07 October 2024