The emotional aftermath of a heart attack

Sadness, worry, and irritability are common after a heart attack. If negative emotions are hindering your recovery, seek help.

January 6, 2026

By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Reviewed by Jeffery Huffman, MD, Contributor

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A man sits in an armchair with sunlight hitting him through a window. He is is holding his hand against the side of his head and looks depressed.

After a potentially life-threatening event like a heart attack, negative emotions are not only normal but common. Up to half of all heart attack survivors experience some type of psychological distress. Some feel down in the dumps or hopeless about the future, while others may be gripped by anxiety and afraid they’ll have another heart attack.

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About the Author

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Julie Corliss has been the executive editor of the Harvard Heart Letter since 2013. She also writes for the Harvard Health Letter, Harvard Women’s Health Watch, and Harvard Men’s Health Watch, as well as for Harvard … See Full Bio

View all posts by Julie Corliss

About the Reviewer

Jeffery Huffman, MD, Contributor

Dr. Jeffery Huffman is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focuses on the connections between mental health, healthy behavior, and … See Full Bio

View all posts by Jeffery Huffman, MD

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