ABSTRACT
Reducing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases may increase quality of life and decrease mortality and morbidity secondary to these disorders.The present study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention on anxiety, depression, stress and cardiovascular health of cardiac patients. Ninety-one patients were assessed before and after the group intervention by means of semi-structured interviews, the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories and the Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults. Cardiovascular status was estimated using the Framingham Score. The intervention decreased anxiety, depression, and stress, and improved coping with stress. No significant differences were seen for the Framingham Scores. The intervention was effective in improving psychological risk factors for the investigated sample.
Keywords:
cardiovascular diseases; risk factors; cognitive-behavioral intervention
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