title: In Sickness and in Health: a Literature Review about Function of Social Support within Anxiety and Heart Disease Association.
abstract: A narrative review of the major evidence concerning the relationship between anxiety, social support and cardiac disease was conducted. Literature demonstrates that a strict relationship between anxiety, social support and cardiac disease outcomes subsists. However, the function of social support within anxiety and heart disease association remains unclear and needs to further researches to be established. Moreover evidence suggests that it's the quality of close relationships to play an important role in affecting psychological and physiological health status. The main components that the literature suggests for a better quality of social support and close relationship, and the main assessment measure are presented. Evidence about cardiac rehabilitation programs and the need to assess and intervene on psychological and psychosocial factors is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zarbo
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Compare
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldassari
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonardi
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, "L. Sacco" University General Hospital, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romagnoni
keywords: Anxiety; cardiac disease; psychocardiology; quality of relationship; social support