Strong psyche - strong heart
Psychocardiology(8.1.2026) If the heart is unwell, the psyche suffers too - and vice versa. But physicians and patients can work together to counteract this and even increase the heart's chances of recovery.
It stands for life like no other organ: the heart. But if it is damaged, worrying about the heart often makes people even more ill. "Around one in three heart patients should receive psychosomatic care due to accompanying complaints," says PD Dr. Derek Spieler, head of the Psychosomatic Consultation and Liaison Service at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. The service's 19 employees are there for inpatients with particular psychological stress and their relatives.
The members of the liaison team try to talk to patients to reduce their fears, be it of the illness or of the changed life situation. ©Britt Schilling/ Medical Center - University of Freiburg
When fear crushes the heart
A dedicated liaison service has been set up for patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Here, for example, two psychologists are on hand to support elderly patients who have collapsed out of fear of an upcoming heart operation. Meanwhile, in Cardiology and Angiology, colleagues from the general consultation and liaison service support a young competitive athlete who has been admitted with severe cardiac arrhythmia and fears for her career.
Listening and advising at the bedside
"Psychological complaints such as depression have an unfavorable effect on the heart. Conversely, heart disease can lead to anxiety disorders or depression," emphasizes Spieler. "We are regularly on the cardiology wards and clarify with the physicians treating patients which patients need psychological support promptly," explains psychologist Tamara Sotelo, who is part of the psychosomatic consultation and liaison service. The liaison staff listen, advise on specific offers of help, including post-inpatient help, and explain various relaxation techniques.
Discussions about the new life situation
"Quite often, the conversation is about reducing excessive fears about the illness or the changed life situation," adds psychologist Silke Eisfeld, who works for the psychosomatic liaison team in cardiovascular surgery.
More interesting articles
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Central InformationPhone: 0761 270-0
info@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Corporate Communications
Breisacher Straße 15379110 Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-84830
kommunikation@uniklinik-freiburg.de