Supporting a Family Member with Heart Disease

A diagnosis of heart disease brings a series of challenges, including emotional stress and the need to make lifestyle changes – for patients and their families. Managing medications and developing a healthier lifestyle can be a long, difficult process. Supporting a family member with heart disease can make it easier for him/her to manage the various important life changes. Additionally, you can help your loved one keep his/her spirits up by keeping an eye on the bright side of life.

Simply put, supporting a family member with heart disease can help him/her face – and conquer – physical and emotional challenges.

How common is heart disease?

Heart disease is one of the deadliest and most pervasive diseases affecting people across the world. In fact, according to the CDC, in the US:

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups.
• One person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease.
• In 2022, 702,880 people died from heart disease. That’s the equivalent of 20% of all deaths.

Understanding Heart Disease.

Importantly, the term heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart. People can develop heart disease slowly over time due to bad lifestyle choices. Or heart disease can seemingly appear suddenly due to genetics or other medical conditions.

Understanding heart disease and its challenges will make it easier for you to properly care for your loved one.

The types of heart disease include:

• Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease.
• Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
• Heart conditions that you’re born with, called congenital heart defects.
• Disease of the heart muscle.
• Heart valve disease.

Causes and symptoms of heart disease.

Importantly, heart disease symptoms depend on the type of heart condition. Understanding what symptoms to watch for can help you get needed medical care in a timely manner.

Blood vessel disease.

Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition that affects the major blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. A buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls usually causes coronary artery disease. This buildup, called plaque, reduces the blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body. The reduction in blood flow can cause a heart attack, chest pain, or a stroke.

Symptoms of coronary artery disease can include:

• Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort, called angina.
• Shortness of breath.
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly or back.
• Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed.

Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.

A heart arrhythmia occurs when the electrical signals that tell the heart to beat don’t work properly. When this occurs, the heart may beat too fast, too slow, or inconsistently.

If a heart beats faster than 100 beats/minute, it’s called tachycardia, which includes the following conditions:

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib).
• Atrial flutter.
• Supraventricular tachycardia.
• Ventricular fibrillation.
• Ventricular tachycardia.

If a heart beats slower than 60 beats/minute, it’s called bradycardia, which includes sick sinus syndrome and conduction block.

Visit the Mayo Clinic’s website for more details on each of the arrhythmias.

Heart arrhythmia symptoms can include:

• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Dizziness.
• Fainting or almost fainting.
• Fluttering in the chest.
• Lightheadedness.
• Racing heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath.
• Slow heartbeat.

Congenital heart defects.

A heart condition present at birth is called a congenital heart defect, which can vary from mild (a small hole in the heart) to severe (missing parts of the heart). See the CDC website for a full list of congenital heart defects.

Serious congenital heart defects are generally noticed soon after birth – symptoms in children can include:

• Blue or gray skin, which can be hard to see in darker skin tones.
• Swelling in the legs, belly, or areas around the eyes.
• In an infant, shortness of breath during feedings, which can cause poor weight gain.

Sometimes, congenital heart defects are found later in childhood or during adulthood. In these situations, symptoms may include:

• Getting very short of breath during exercise or activity.
• Easily tiring during exercise or activity.
• Swelling of the hands, ankles or feet.

Cardiomyopathy (diseased heart muscle).

The cause of cardiomyopathy depends on the type. There are three types:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy – the most common type of cardiomyopathy. It often has no known cause, but it can be passed down through families (inherited).
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – this type usually passed down through families.
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy – this type can happen for no known reason, although it can be caused from a buildup of protein called amyloid or from a connective tissue disorder.

In the beginning, cardiomyopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, as the condition worsens, symptoms may include:

• Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting.
• Fatigue.
• Feeling short of breath during activity or at rest.
• Feeling short of breath at night when trying to sleep or waking up short of breath.
• Rapid, pounding or fluttering heartbeats.
• Swollen legs, ankles or feet.

Heart valve disease.

The heart’s four valves open and close to move blood through the heart. Unfortunately, valves don’t always function properly due to congenital heart valve disease or other causes, including:

• Rheumatic fever.
• Infection in the lining of the heart valves, called infectious endocarditis.
• Connective tissue disorders.

Symptoms of heart valve disease depend on which valve isn’t working right. Symptoms may include:

• Chest pain.
• Fainting or almost fainting.
• Fatigue.
• Irregular heartbeats.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swollen feet or ankles.

Heart Failure. 

Heart failure, also referred to as congestive heart failure, is a serious condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently as it should. Although it sounds like the heart is about to stop working, heart failure means the heart muscle can’t keep up with the body’s demand. The blood returns to the heart faster that the heart can pump it out, causing it to become congested, or backed up.

When this happens, the body’s other organs don’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. With or without treatment, heart failure generally gets worse over time.

Symptoms of heart failure may develop slowly or start suddenly. Symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Reduced ability to exercise.
• Wheezing.
• A cough that doesn’t go away.
• A cough that brings up white or pink mucus with spots of blood.
• Swelling of the belly area.
• Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup.
• Nausea and lack of appetite.
• Difficulty concentrating or having decreased alertness.
• Chest pain (if heart failure is caused by a heart attack).

Supporting a family member with heart disease.

There are many ways you can help your loved one with heart disease be as healthy as possible. Importantly, simple actions can make a large difference in recovery and quality of life.

Ways to support a family member with heart disease include:

Encouraging medical adherence.

Staying as healthy as possible will require your loved one to be compliant with doctors’ instructions. Learning these instructions will make it easier for you to help them be compliant.

Additionally, it’s vital for your loved one to attend all necessary medical appointments. You can help them make appointments, remind them as the appointment nears, and make sure they have transportation.

Moreover, going to medical appointments with your loved one can help in several ways. Firstly, you can provide emotional and physical support. Secondly, you can take detailed notes that will help you and your loved one correctly remember the information shared by the doctor. Thirdly, you can ask questions your loved one may not think of. And finally, you can advocate on their behalf by speaking up if something doesn’t seem right and by making sure the doctor addresses their concerns.

It’s critical for your loved one to take the right medication at the right time. In addition to helping them set up medication reminders, you can sort their pills into pill sorters. Learn other tips to help your loved one properly take their medication by reading Tips to Take Medication as Prescribed.

Additionally, if the doctor recommends checking blood pressure at home, learn how and when to measure your loved one’s blood pressure. To make sure you are doing it correctly, read the guidelines created by the American Heart Association. And ask the doctor what blood pressure levels require medical attention.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Encouraging a healthy lifestyle can significantly benefit your loved one’s health. For instance, you can create opportunities for exercise, whether it’s going for a walk or trying out some yoga – activities that can bring you both joy.

Additionally, you can plan meals together that are “heart-healthy”. Offer to grocery shop and help with cooking to make it easier to comply with a new way of eating. Although you should always ask your doctor for recommendations, the American Heart Association’s healthy diet emphasizes:

• A wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
• Whole grains and products made up mostly of whole grains.
• Healthy sources of protein – preferably mostly plant-based protein such as legumes, and nuts, with fish, seafood, and low-fat or fat-free dairy. If your loved one wants meat and/or poultry, make sure it is lean and unprocessed.
• Liquid non-tropical vegetable oils such as canola, corn, olive, soybean and sunflower oils.
• Minimally processed foods.
• Minimal intake of added sugars.
• Foods prepared with little or no salt.
• Limited or preferably no alcohol intake.

Importantly, if applicable, encourage your loved one to stop using all tobacco products.

Managing stress and emotional well-being.

Unsurprisingly, your loved one may develop anxiety or sadness from the stress of managing heart disease. Alarmingly, research shows that approximately 20% of patients with heart failure develop clinically significant depression.

A big part of supporting your family member with heart diseases is helping them manage their emotional well-being. Firstly, be a good listener and let them express their emotions without passing judgment. Additionally, encourage them to try calming techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.

And don’t overlook the power of a good laugh! Research shows laughing can help your brain, your heart, and your mental health. Watch a funny TV show or movie together, find funny things to read or listen to, or find fun activities with family or friends.

Importantly, if your loved one seems overwhelmed by their emotions, encourage them to see a mental health professional and/or join a support group.

How can you find a support group?

There are many options for support groups – both online and in-person. Options include:

• American Heart Association and the British Heart Foundation run online support groups.
• The US-based nonprofit group Mended Hearts runs in-person (where possible), online, or a hybrid support groups for children and adults with heart conditions.
• WomenHeart has in-person support groups for women with heart disease in many US states, plus virtual support groups.

Additionally, you can ask your doctor about support groups at your hospital or search online for community-based groups in your area.

Importantly, if you find a support group via an online search, research to determine who is sponsoring and/or organizing the group. For instance, pharmaceutical companies run support groups which may encourage participants to take their medications. Choosing a group run by a nonprofit organization can help you avoid conflicts of interest.

Navigating communication and relationship dynamics.

When you have a family member with heart disease, effective communication and positive relationships are critical.  Communication with, and support of, each other can greatly improve how everyone feels.

Have open and honest conversations.

Open and frank discussions are vital. Frequently ask your family members how they are feeling, not just physiologically but emotionally too. Use your judgement and accept feedback to avoid asking so often that it goes from loving concern to annoyance.

Importantly, make your loved one feel they can say anything without being criticized. Listen and support, do not try to fix everything.

Balance care and independence.

It’s essential to respect your loved one’s independence. Provide help where needed, but do not do everything for them. Certainly, your loved one still wants to feel like they are in control of their lives. For example, you could help with tasks that might be too hard for them but let them make their own decisions about their health.

Educate other family members and friends.

Importantly, involve other family members and close friends in the process. Share your loved one’s condition and what types of support would be welcome and helpful. But make sure your loved one feels comfortable with any information you want to share!

Take care of yourself as a caregiver.

Being a caregiver for a family member with heart disease can feel overwhelming and stressful. Importantly, you must remember that caring for oneself is equally as vital as caring for a loved one. By paying attention to your own needs, you can stay strong and be there for your loved one.

Recognize and address caregiver burnout.

Caregiver burnout is the mental and physical depletion that comes with the tasks inherent in caring for others. Common symptoms include feeling overloaded, loss of interest in leisure activities, or a feeling of permanent fatigue. Detecting and addressing symptoms is crucial. Therefore, make time for yourself a priority, ask for assistance when needed, and take breaks when you can.

For tips on how to reduce your stress, read Help with Caregiving Stress.

Prioritize your own health.

Critically, you must take care of your own health. Schedule routine medical appointments and screenings, take enough time to rest, eat healthfully and keep fit. Additionally, even if it’s only for a few minutes, take little breaks throughout the day to unwind.

For more information and tips, read Can Caregiving Make You Sick?

Seek help when needed.

It’s acceptable – and important – to seek assistance. Ask family members and close friends for assistance if you’re feeling overburdened. You may also find it helpful to join either a support group for heart patients and their families, or a more general support group for caregivers.

Additionally, consider respite care to give yourself a break from caregiving duties. Read Respite Care Helps Family Caregivers for more information.

I wrote this in conjunction with Timothy Odewuyi from Mirador – a free service that helps seniors and their families find the perfect community for their needs and budget. Timothy specializes in writing health-related content that help readers make informed decisions.