Cardiac caregiving and the psychological, emotional, physical, social and financial stresses that may come with it poses health risks for the caregiver. Mounting evidence suggests caregivers (defined as those who provide informal, unpaid care to a loved one with a chronic condition or disability) may be at an elevated risk for developing cardiovascular disease themselves.

To this end, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation is launching stress management classes designed specifically for cardiac caregivers.