Supporting Informal Caregivers of Heart Patients: Key Findings and Next Steps

Caring for someone with heart disease goes beyond hospital visits—it unfolds in the quiet moments at home, during medication routines, and shared conversations. This ongoing support from informal caregivers—spouses, adult children, and friends—is vital, yet often overlooked within the healthcare system.

A recent study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing highlights the urgent need to better support these caregivers. Over the past 15 years, efforts have focused on patient education and cardiac rehabilitation, but caregivers remain in the background, despite their crucial role.

The research team conducted a mixed-methods study involving surveys from 86 caregivers and in-depth interviews with 16 individuals. Their goal was to understand what caregivers need to effectively support their loved ones and maintain their own well-being. The findings were clear: caregivers express a significant demand for more information, emotional support, and recognition within healthcare systems.

Many caregivers manage medication schedules, monitor symptoms, and interpret clinical advice—tasks that require knowledge and emotional resilience. They frequently experience stress, isolation, and anxiety about the future, feeling unprepared and unsupported. One caregiver expressed frustration over the lack of education regarding what to expect, emphasizing that the focus is often solely on the patient.

This study underscores the importance of redesigning cardiac rehabilitation programs to include caregivers as active participants. Enhancing education tailored to their needs, providing mental health resources, and creating platforms for communication are essential steps.

Moreover, it’s crucial to recognize the diverse backgrounds of caregivers. Women balancing full-time work and family, older adults managing their own health challenges, and caregivers from cultural or immigrant communities often face unique obstacles. A one-size-fits-all approach fails to address these varied needs.

The key takeaway is that caregivers are central to patient recovery, and their voices need to be heard. By investing in caregiver-centered education and support, healthcare systems can foster more inclusive and resilient cardiac rehabilitation programs.

As a researcher and caregiver myself, I recognize the silent burden borne by many. Women, particularly from marginalized communities, often shoulder caregiving roles quietly, in addition to their own stressors. It’s time to prioritize their support—because when caregivers thrive, patients ultimately benefit.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, a platform for researchers to share insights from their studies. For further details, see the original research: Ana Paula Delgado Bomtempo et al, Education needs of informal caregivers in cardiac rehabilitation: a mixed-methods study, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (2025).