Conceptualizing Fear of Progression in Cardiac Patients: Advancing our Understanding of the Psychological Impact of Cardiac Illness

Abstract

Background: An emerging area of psycho-cardiology explores fear of disease progression in cardiac patients, following extensive research of this topic in psycho-oncology. Novel interventions that target cardiac fear of progression(FoP) may be valuable in bridging the gap between the high psychological support needs in cardiac care and limitations surrounding the efficacy of standard psychosocial treatments. However, there appears to be limited research characterizing FoP in cardiac patients with which to inform potential interventions. Aims: Using a mixed methods approach in two inter-related studies, we aimed to develop a preliminary conceptualization of cardiac-FoP. Methods: Study 1 involv..