Though many studies have linked emotional stress with an increase risk of heart attacks, this is one of the first to report that stress reduction can actually reduce the risk, Sloan said. The stress management program involved weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes. They included classroom teaching about heart disease and stress, training in stress-reduction skills and group support. All of the patients in the study suffered from ischemia, an impairment of blood flow to the heart, which is known to worsen the outlook for heart patients. Ironically, only about 10 to 20 percent of heart patients even wind up in rehabilitation programs.
Insurance is often an issue.
And doctors say it is surprisingly hard to convince patients that they've got a stress problem, even after a heart attack. Medical Correspondent Jeff Levine contributed to this report. Visit our Product and Services Pages for tools to help you learn or teach effective Stress Management.