María C. Tamayo-Mejía, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Johny A. Rentería-Daboin, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Jenny García-Valencia, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Domingo I. Caraballo-Gracia, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Antonio Toro, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Diego A. Espíndola-Fernández, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Cardiovascular diseases are frequently associated with psychological symptoms that negatively affect clinical outcomes. Cardiac rehabilitation, traditionally focused on physical recovery, may benefit from incorporating psychosocial interventions that enhance mental health, adherence, and quality of life, leading to improved cardiovascular outcomes. This article synthesizes the available evidence on the effectiveness of mental health interventions within cardiac rehabilitation programs and their impact on clinical, psychological, and functional outcomes. A narrative review of the literature was conducted. Biomedical databases and academic repositories including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ClinicalKey, SciELO, LILACS, and PsycINFO were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2024 in English or Spanish. Article selection, critical appraisal, and data extraction were independently performed by psychiatrists and cardiac rehabilitation specialists. The most effective interventions included cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and metacognitive therapy. These approaches were associated with reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, improved quality of life, and a trend toward lower incidence of nonfatal cardiovascular events and hospitalizations. Psychological interventions in cardiac rehabilitation, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, relaxation, and yoga, improve mental health and quality of life, with a potential reduction in cardiovascular events. Their structured integration into programs, especially in resource-limited settings, is essential to optimize clinical and psychosocial outcomes.
Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation. Mental disorders. Psychotherapy. Cardiovascular diseases. Quality of life.
