How Should Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Adjust Their Psychological State?

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a lifelong condition; however, with proper management, it need not impair quality of life—patients should develop an accurate understanding of the disease and adopt an appropriate attitude toward it.

First, do not regard CHD as a burden. With current medical interventions—including pharmacotherapy—the disease can be effectively controlled or its progression significantly delayed.

Second, avoid excessive anxiety or becoming overly preoccupied with minor issues, which places undue psychological stress on oneself. Elderly individuals must actively adjust their mindset. Adopting a healthy lifestyle—including regular physical exercise and activities such as calligraphy practice—can help prevent rumination over trivial matters.

Emotional fluctuations can adversely affect blood pressure, and uncontrolled hypertension, in turn, negatively impacts cardiac function—these factors are interrelated. Therefore, effective emotional regulation is critically important for patients with coronary heart disease.