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How Social Supports Impact Cardiac Patients

Posted on August 21st, 2024

Family, friends, and other social supports play a key role in helping people recover from cardiac events, such as heart attacks, heart surgery, or other heart conditions. A heart condition can significantly impact your daily life — missed work, limited physical activity in some cases, and an increased risk for depression. Studies and experience show that patients with strong social support recover faster and have a lower risk of negative outcomes. 

For individuals living with or recovering from heart disease, building and incorporating social support into their recovery process can be transformative. A support team can provide physical care, increase activity levels, and enhance emotional resilience. 

If you’re seeking more social support but aren’t sure where to start, here are some steps to take. 

Choose a hospital with open visiting hours

Visiting hours policies are an essential factor when choosing a hospital. Hospitals with open visiting hours, like OHH, allow family and friends to be fully involved in your hospital stay. Our hospital rooms are designed with space for family members to stay with the patient, and we do not restrict visiting hours.

Complete a cardiac rehabilitation program

Recovery from cardiac events can be a long-term process. Cardiac rehabilitation programs, including the one offered at OHH, provide the education, resources, and community you need for a strong recovery. 

Join a support group specific to your condition

Joining a support group can help patients feel less isolated by connecting with others who understand their condition. There are a variety of support groups geared toward many different heart conditions, some that meet online and some that are in person. The team at OHH can help find the right one for you. 

Taking any of these steps to create social supports when recovering from a cardiac event can help support patients throughout recovery. If you have any questions about the programs available through Oklahoma Heart Hospital, contact our team today.