Il partner del paziente cardiologico: chi sostiene chi?

Heart disease has a significant impact on the body, psyche and relationships. The treatment should therefore not be reduced only to the exclusive restoration of the organ’s functions in an orthopedic-mechanistic logic. Taking charge of the emotional-relational aspects should not be by-passed. Enhancing the partner’s role in building a supportive network is central, as the person closest to the patient. The presence of a partner also represents a protective factor for better compliance and symptoms management, as well as relapses, also reducing the mortality rates as evidenced by the literature. It should be noted that the partner is facing a new and sometimes burden situation, often without knowing how to be really supportive. The experience of illness is stressful even for those who care for the patient. The partner’s support in a process of empowerment and relational engagement around the patient can represent an important development path in health promotion. The clinical and therapeutic implications for interventions targeting the couple are also discussed.