Heart valve disease effects people psychologically and emotionally, as well as physically. A recent British Heart Foundation survey found that 68% of people said their condition and affected them mentally, emotionally or psychologically. Those surveyed said they felt low, depressed, scared, tearful and complex emotions that they didn’t understand.
The NICE Guidelines for Heart Valve Disease state that mental health support should be offered from diagnosis to post-treatment, so if you feel you need professional help in managing your mental wellbeing during your valve disease pathway it is essential you contact your clinician and ask for support.
There are things you can do personally to support good mental wellbeing, which we will discuss for each part of the pathway.
